Season-ending injury could thrust Alabama star into an entirely new role on defense
Versatility is the spice of life. But in football, versatility is what takes a good player and makes him great. And while Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell is already one of the best-stacked backers in the nation, following the season-ending injury to EDGE Que Robinson, a move to teh outside isn't out of the realm of […]
Versatility is the spice of life.
But in football, versatility is what takes a good player and makes him great.
And while Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell is already one of the best-stacked backers in the nation, following the season-ending injury to EDGE Que Robinson, a move to teh outside isn't out of the realm of possibilities:
Jihaad Campbell to take snaps at EDGE?
"We’re doing those things with Jihaad already as a pass rusher and some sub package things," said Alabama DC Kane Wommack when asked about Campbell filling in for Robinson. "I think he's really such a difference maker wherever you put him on the field, and so you want to find creative ways to get him in one-on-one matchups. From a pass-rush standpoint, there's things that we can do if we show him as a defensive end and drop him out in coverage, right? There’s different things that we can do scheme-wise, from that perspective, but certainly in terms of giving us pass-rush, I think that is a piece of his game and that’s what to me makes him such a well-rounded player."
Campbell has been the best player on the Tide's defense this season, with a stacked box score that includes 78 tackles, four sacks and an interception. If you're looking for a player to be all over the field, it's Campbell.
But when you hold the title of best player on a given side of the ball, sometimes you have to do what's best for the team to win. And following the nasty looking wrist injury against LSU that will sideline Que Robinson the rest of the season, Campbell on the EDGE may be best for the TIde.
"You can play him as an inside backer, you can play him as an outside backer, as a rush edge," added Wommack on Campbell. "I mean that dude's playing four different positions for us right now, and is able to hold a lot of volume in terms of what we ask him to do. So Jihaad is playing at a really high level and we’re gonna utilize him any way we can.”
The Tide have their sights set on the CFB playoff after taking a victory lap on what was deemed as must win against the Tigers. With three games remaining as heavy favorites, the team will be calling on Campbell and everyone else who's healthy to make their postseason run.
