Alabama football is gradually filling starting jobs as fall camp progresses, and there is a linebacker that could be on his way to winning himself a significant role.
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said that sophomore linebacker Luke Metz “took strides” during spring practice and is “playing at a very high level” right now.”
“Luke has always been a guy that, when you watch his tape, the energy that he plays with, the passion he plays with, and the physicality,” Wommack said. “I thought at the beginning of spring ball he got a little bit where he was more concerned about the scheme and making a mistake. He was playing a little bit hesitant at the beginning of spring. I talked to him like, ‘Hey man, go back to who you are and what you do. You’re a guy that can go run and hit and be decisive.’ He took that to heart. He took strides as we moved into spring ball, and then you saw that through the summertime, and right now he’s playing at a very high level. Excited about him.”
The sophomore linebacker played in all 15 of Alabama football’s games last season on special teams and saw some time on Alabama’s defense, totaling seven stops.
One of the most important things that Wommack said about Metz is he’s no longer playing hesitantly. It sounds like Metz is reading and reacting, and he has given Wommack something to be excited about.
Linebacker is perhaps the most uncertain position on Alabama’s defense because of all the production that was lost from the previous season. Alabama lost linebackers Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson and Nikhai-Hill Green as their eligibility expired, so the Crimson Tide are looking for players to step up in 2026.
Although Wommack mentioned Metz, players like linebacker QB Reese and Virgina Tech transfer linebacker Caleb Woodson are putting in significant work in fall camp too. Freshman Zavier Griffin is another guy working to earn snaps as well as junior linebacker Cayden Jones. Wommack says all the time that he likes to play multiple guys, but it will be intriguing to see who produces the most for the Crimson Tide in the linebacker room.
Alabama football will scrimmage on Thursday, and this is the Crimson Tide’s first fall camp scrimmage on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
