Justin Eboigbe hit another “personal milestone” on Saturday afternoon. Nearly two years after he thought his football career was over, the former Alabama defensive lineman received a call that changed his life.

Eboigbe is headed to the NFL after being drafted 105th overall in the 2024 draft. The Los Angeles Chargers made Eboigbe, a bruising defensive lineman, the fifth pick in the fourth round. Eboigbe is the seventh Alabama player to go overall and the first on Day 3 of the draft.

“Every play, every practice, every time we work out we should be grateful for that because you never know when the opportunity is going to cease,” Eboigbe said a year ago as he worked his way back from a season-ending neck injury. “Just taking every day as a day in getting better whether it be in the weight room, on the field, in the meeting room watching film or learning new stuff. Just take advantage of the day that’s given because honestly, I would never thought that that would happen to me back in September (of 2022) but it is what it is and it’s about making the days count.”

Eboigbe, a four-star who played high school ball in Forest Park, Georgia, appeared in 56 career games for Alabama. He was a part of 122 tackles, his career-best coming last fall (63) with seven sacks. Eboigbe snagged a tipped Stetson Bennett IV pass in 2020 for his lone career interception. He also produced two fumble recoveries.

Nick Saban, who worked the first two nights of the draft as an analyst, helped 20 defensive linemen get selected through his 17-year run in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama 2024 NFL draft picks

Round 1

• 7. JC Latham, Tennessee Titans
• 17. Dallas Turner, Minnesota Vikings
• 24. Terrion Arnold, Detroit Lions

Round 2

• 41. Kool-Aid McKinstry, New Orleans Saints
• 57. Chris Braswell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 3

• 80. Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals

Round 4

• 105. Justin Eboigbe, Los Angeles Chargers

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