Numbers at linebacker took a downturn for Alabama football this week. A thin group at inside linebacker became thinner with the disciplinary departure of VanDarius Cowan. The outside linebacker numbers were also reduced by the ACL injury to Terrell Lewis.
If as almost everyone assumes, Keith Holcombe gives up football for baseball, the Tide is down to 13 linebackers. That may seem like enough, but it is not. The Alabama football positions at linebacker are Mike and Will (inside), Jack and Sam (outside), plus Rabbit. The rabbit position is the edge rusher position played most frequently in recent seasons by Tim Williams and Rashaan Evans.