Alabama’s linebacker depth was challenged in Week 5. An injury to starting middle linebacker and defensive signal-caller Deontae Lawson thrust Trezmen Marshall and Jihaad Campbell into larger roles. Further down the depth chart, Lawson’s absence also created an opportunity for a former five-star recruit.

During pregame warmups, redshirt freshman Jeremiah Alexander was seen with the inside linebackers. Alexander had previously been listed on the depth chart as a second-team outside linebacker with Keanu Koht behind Chris Braswell. On Monday, UA head coach Nick Saban described Alexander’s move and if it would be permanent.

“I think it’s something we’ve been considering,” said Saban. “Jeremiah was developing nicely as an outside backer. Wasn’t getting to play much, so the injury kind of enhanced this is the right time to do this. I think it could be good for us in the future.”

Alexander was a four-star recruit in the class of 2019 from in-state powerhouse Thompson High. He was traditionally a pass rusher for the Warriors, helping them in their current run of four-straight state championships. 247Sports Composite rated Alexander as the No. 50 prospect and fifth-best edge rusher.

Through his season-plus in Tuscaloosa, Alexander has mostly developed out of sight from fans and media. He played four games as a special teamer in 2022, making one tackle. He appeared in the Tide’s first four games this fall, also on the special teams unit.

Lawson suffered an ankle sprain against Ole Miss on Sept. 23. Saban should have an update on his status for this weekend’s game against Texas A&M on Wednesday after the Tide holds practice.

“There’s so many things that if we can learn and pay attention to detail and have a sense of urgency and sustain that, whether it’s practice, games, whatever, we’re gonna eliminate some of our negatives that have proven pretty costly,” Saban said of Alabama’s defensive effort in recent weeks. “You can say we won the game, but you want to eliminate some of the mistakes. Because you always look at the play and say, ‘OK, did he make a play because of what they did and how they executed it or is there some error on our part that allowed them to make a play?’”

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].