Alabama is already losing one starting defensive lineman to the NFL, but got a boost from another who announced his return to the Crimson Tide for his senior season.
Isaiah Buggs, a JUCO transfer who just completed his first Alabama season, tweeted Thursday his intention to come back for 2018. A news conference is set for 1 p.m. CT announcing the decisions of underclassmen who'll enter the NFL draft.
Defensive lineman Da'Ron Payne is one of those juniors going pro, AL.com reported Wednesday.
Buggs made 51 tackles in 2017. That includes 4.