Another expected Alabama departure made it official on Thursday morning. Crimson Tide outside linebacker Chris Braswell declared for the NFL Draft, joining Dallas Turner and JC Latham.

Braswell made the most of his elevated role opposite Turner and in place of Will Anderson Jr. this season. Braswell ranked second on UA’s roster behind Turner in sacks, recording eight to lose offenses 57 yards. He also had a pick-six at Mississippi State, forced three fumbles and blocked one kick.

“Throughout my tenure at UA, I’ve achieved my primary goals of winning a national championship and, above all, earning my degree. Along the way, I’ve forged lifelong bonds and crafted incredible memories. However, it’s now time for me to embark on a new chapter,” Braswell wrote on Instagram.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Braswell the third outside linebacker in the class, behind Turner and UCLA’s Laitau Latu. Listed at 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, Braswell became a veteran presence, seeing the field more and more after arriving as a five-star from Saint Frances (Maryland) Academy. In 40 career games, Braswell made 76 total tackles, including 17 for a loss. He posted 11 sacks.

Alabama’s outside linebacker group and pass rush is thinning ahead of 2024. In addition to Turner and Braswell, defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (seven sacks) and Tim Smith (two sacks, 31 tackles) could also depart. Alabama’s most veteran outside linebacker set to return is Quandarrius Robinson (1.5 sacks in 2023).

Said Saban on Nov. 13: “Bras is a really good competitor, a hard worker. Really works hard in practice to get it right. I think a lot of guys that play outside ‘backer for us, when they come here they don’t have a lot of background and experience in standing up and playing. A lot of them play with their hand in the dirt in high school. So the whole idea of standing up and playing, dropping some, how do you rush off the edge when you’re standing up rather than in a three-point stance?

“I also think that opens up a whole panorama of knowledge of the game, coverages and things like that. And I would say that Bras has certainly improved physically because of how committed he is to being a good player. But I think from a mental standpoint, that’s where he really has a much, much better understanding of all the things you need to do to play that position.”

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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].