Alabama football is pretty set with talent at the bandit position. A staple of Kane Wommack’s defensive system, the spot, regularly filled by LT Overton and Jah-Marien Latham, most resembles a traditional defensive end position.

Those two players take the majority of reps for the Crimson Tide. However, against Missouri, redshirt freshman Jordan Renaud has found his way on onto the field more.

Renaud played 22 snaps in the shutout of the Tigers. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack praised his development throughout the season.

“Jordan is continuing to grow in our defense and in understanding what to do,” Wommack said Monday, as the Crimson Tide began preparation for LSU. “We talk about those things, right? Knowing when to take chances, when to take risks, all that goes on on the back end, that goes up front. And then just doing your job at a more consistent level than maybe he was at the beginning of the season.”

Renaud played in two games for the Crimson Tide last season, while redshirting. He opted to stick around when Nick Saban retired, despite the presence of Latham and Overton on the roster.

He made four tackles in the Missouri game Saturday, and has nine so far this season, plus half a sack. His growth in recent weeks has impressed his Alabama teammates.

“He’s showing a lot,” Latham said of Renaud on Tuesday. “He’s improved a lot. He’s getting a lot of playing time, he’s creating production for himself. Everything’s going in the right way, you just gotta keep working.”

Latham and Renaud’s teammate, linebacker Jihaad Campbell, agreed.

“He’s stepped up big,” Campbell said. “The coaches and the players trust in him to go into the game and make plays whenever his name is called”

Alabama faces LSU Saturday in Baton Rouge. With enormous College Football Playoff stakes, it’s likely not as good an opportunity to get younger players experience, at least compared to the Missouri shutout.

Still, Wommack was bullish about what’s next for Renaud.

“Credit him,” Wommack said. “You’ve got two players in Jah-Marien Latham and LT Overton that are playing good football right now. So for him to elevate his game to be in the conversation and find ways for us to have to find ways to get him on the field, I think speaks to who he is and the work that he’s put in. But also, I think dude’s got a really bright future.”

Alabama and LSU are scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Baton Rouge. The game will be aired on ABC.