During the second quarter of Saturday’s game against South Carolina, cornerback Domani Jackson seemed to have an injury, and the Alabama headline sideline held its breath. The training personnel examined Jackson and helped him off the pitch before bringing him to the locker room on the cart. Though Jackson’s injury scare on Saturday demonstrated his worth to the Alabama defence, the Crimson Tide were fortunate that he was able to return after getting X-rayed. Jackson went on to make the game-winning interception that allowed Alabama to defeat the Gamecocks.
Defence coordinator for Alabama Kane Wommack stated on Monday that “Domani’s experience has shown up in a number of ways, and he’s stepped up in some big moments, obviously, having the interception at the end of the game.” “Give him credit for fighting back and recovering from his injuries sustained throughout the game. Along with [defensive backs coach Maurice] Linguist, who is doing a fantastic job with those young players and in building continuity in their technique and their fundamentals so that they can go out and execute to the best of their abilities on the field, I believe Domani is operating with a lot of maturity and mental toughness. Additionally, he has really helped set the tone for that room Game day.
Although a player missing time due to injury is never ideal, it does put that player’s depth to the test. The second and third quarters saw Jackson out for a portion of the game, but other young cornerbacks, like Jaylen Mbakwe and Zavier Mincey, saw more playing time. “When a couple of guys go down and those guys have to be called upon, you know you’re either ready or you’re not right,” Wommack stated. “I therefore believed that it was beneficial for those men to enter there and obtain some significant, high-quality reps. In my opinion, Jaylen Mbakwe also made a great contribution at several crucial times. The fact that some of those young people are participating in important SEC games gives me hope.”
On the other side of the ball, Alabama’s wide receiver corps has been limited the last few games. Junior Kendrick Law has missed the last two games for the Crimson Tide with “a lower extremity injury” that he suffered in the first quarter of the Georgia game. Law was listed as a game-time decision on the official SEC availability report before the game, but did not see the field against South Carolina.
Alabama was also without fellow junior wide receiver Kobe Prentice on Saturday. Prentice left the Vanderbilt game after taking a hard hit and was ruled out for the game against the Gamecocks. With two veteran receivers unavailable, Alabama’s wide receiver rotation has expanded over the last few games.
Freshman Caleb Odom did not record a catch on Saturday but saw playing time in the first quarter. And redshirt freshman Cole Adams had two big catches in the win. Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan credited wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard for helping have his guys ready to step up with Law and Prentice out.
“I’ve appreciated the efforts of the guys, in playing multiple spots and having to learn different positions,” Sheridan said. “I think Coach Shep has done a great job with that. I think you’ve seen Caleb Odom just continuing to grow and learn multiple spots, playing different positions on the field. Cole (Adams) obviously had some big plays in the game.
“And so, with just the rotation of players that are up each week, obviously Ryan (Williams and Germ(ie Bernard) have been steady and productive for us, but I think the depth of that room has certainly helped us. E-man (Emmanuel Henderson) has had some good moments. I know there’s other guys too that I’m probably leaving out, but I think it’s a deep room and they’re improving each and every week, and Coach Shep’s doing a great job of mentoring, molding, coaching, all of the above. And I think those guys have contributed and helped us for sure.”
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said last Wednesday that Law and Prentice were both going through workouts and making progress toward playing meaning there’s a good chance they will be available this Saturday as No. 7 Alabama travels to face No. 11 Tennessee in Knoxville. Regardless, the Crimson Tide is continuing to build depth at key positions as it enters the second half of the regular season.
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