Alabama’s linebacker room took a big hit in turnover, but the Tide didn’t go hunting everywhere to patch it up. They made one major addition, bringing in veteran Caleb Woodson from Virginia Tech, and he’s already settled in as the voice of the defense at Mike.
After that, Kalen DeBoer and Kane Wommack were comfortable betting on the kids.
That confidence is showing up in camp, where the battle at Stinger has narrowed to junior QB Reese and sophomore Luke Metz. Reese has the edge on experience and has been running with the first group in the media viewing windows, but Alabama seems prepared to use both linebackers no matter how the depth chart reads when the dust settles.
Metz, though, is making a real push for a bigger slice of the pie. On Tuesday, Wommack made it clear the sophomore has the kind of traits Alabama wants in that room, and the coach’s language said plenty.
“As a coaching staff, our job is to physically get our players ready to play the game. A lot of it is the energy and juice and the passion that they play with as well.”
Wommack then turned right around and used nearly the same words to describe Metz.
“Luke has always been a guy when you watch his tape, you see the energy he plays with, the passion he plays with, and the physicality."
That kind of praise matters, especially with Alabama’s first fall scrimmage coming Thursday. It’s the first real checkpoint of camp, the moment when players can start climbing the ladder in a hurry. Metz has put himself in position to do exactly that.
Wommack said Metz started spring ball thinking too much and playing too cautiously.
"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, and he was playing a little bit hesitant, Wommack said. "So I talked to him, ‘hey man, go back to who you are and what you do.’
You’re a guy who can go run, and hit, and be decisive. He took that to heart; he took strides as we moved into spring ball, and you saw that through the summertime, and right now he’s playing at a very high level.
Excited about him. Excited about a number of those linebackers right now that are really playing aggressive."
That aggressive style fits what Wommack wants from the defense going forward. He’s planning for a more physical unit in 2026, and both Reese and Metz bring that edge when they’re on the field.
The larger picture is familiar for Wommack’s defenses. In both of his seasons as Alabama’s defensive coordinator, he’s leaned on three off-ball linebackers for plenty of snaps. Jihaad Campbell, Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson filled that role in 2024, then Lawson, Jefferson and Nikahi Hill-Green did it last season.
There’s little reason to expect the structure to change much next year.
So while Woodson anchors the middle, Reese and Metz are fighting for more than a starting label. Both are expected to play.
Both have earned that chance. And both are pushing each other in a camp battle that should keep sharpening Alabama’s defense as the season moves along.
In Other News...
Alabama Fans Know Coleman Coliseum Still Has One Homecourt Problem
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Even with those improvements, the biggest question around Coleman is less about hardware than atmosphere. The building can be upgraded, but the homecourt feel still depends on how Alabama shapes the student section and the rest of the crowd experience, and that is where some of the most interesting ideas are starting to surface. For now, the facility plans are moving forward, but the larger challenge of making Coleman feel like a tougher place for visiting teams remains very much in play. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Running Back Battle Just Got More Crowded Behind EJ Crowell
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What stands out for Alabama is how much of this battle is still about the details, not just raw talent. Grubb has been pleased with the progress and maturity of Dear and Brown, especially as the group works through the finer points of the position, including learning the offense and handling blocking responsibilities consistently. With so many backs competing for snaps, the next step may come down to who can make the biggest strides in the parts of the game that keep trust in the huddle. [Read more 🡒]