Once a Star, Always a Threat: Former Alabama All-American Eyes Comeback After Year Away from Football Spotlight
For most players, a year away from football—especially at the highest levels—is a death sentence to their professional aspirations. The NFL is unforgiving. It’s a league where roster spots are brutally competitive, where younger, faster athletes are always waiting in the wings, and where even the smallest dip in production or availability can derail a promising career. But for one former Alabama All-American, the story is far from over.
He hasn’t played a snap in more than a year, but to count him out now would be a mistake. His talent, pedigree, and determination remain undeniable, and those close to him say he’s more motivated than ever to make a return to the game that made him a star in Tuscaloosa.
Though his name has recently been absent from headlines, his impact at Alabama still echoes. As a cornerstone of Nick Saban’s vaunted defense during his time with the Crimson Tide, he was everything you’d want in a modern defensive star—instinctual, explosive, and reliable. His leadership and on-field presence were instrumental in Alabama’s championship pushes, and he left Tuscaloosa with accolades that would make any collegiate athlete proud: consensus All-American honors, first-team All-SEC selections, and the respect of coaches, teammates, and rivals alike.
When he entered the NFL, expectations were sky-high. He was a high-round draft pick, touted as a plug-and-play talent who could elevate a defense immediately. And for a time, he delivered on that promise. He showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, making impact plays and quickly proving that the transition from the SEC to the pros was not too big a leap for him.
But then came the injuries. Not one catastrophic blow, but a series of nagging setbacks that began to chip away at his availability and consistency. A hamstring here, a foot issue there. What was supposed to be a breakout second season turned into a struggle for snaps. Then came the team changes—shifts in coaching staff, defensive schemes, and front office priorities that didn’t align with the style of player he was. He fell behind on depth charts, and eventually, out of the rotation entirely.
When the 2023 season came around, he found himself unsigned. He worked out for teams. Stayed in shape. Kept the faith. But the phone didn’t ring. Not with a contract offer, at least. Just workouts. Just “We’re keeping an eye on you.” And then silence. For the first time since he was a teenager, fall came without football.
To some, that might have marked the end. But for this former Tide standout, it was a challenge—one he has embraced head-on. In recent months, he’s gone back to the basics. He’s training with specialists in Florida, focusing on not just physical recovery but also on refining his football IQ. He’s leaned into film study, re-learning schemes, studying tendencies, and becoming a student of the game in a new way.
Sources close to his camp say he’s turned down opportunities in secondary leagues like the USFL and XFL—not because he’s above them, but because he believes he still belongs in the NFL. And from a raw talent perspective, it’s hard to argue. At just 26 years old, he still possesses the athleticism that made scouts fall in love with him coming out of Alabama. His speed, size, and versatility remain rare commodities.
The reality is that the NFL loves a comeback story, especially one rooted in proven pedigree. Front offices value players who’ve succeeded in pressure environments, and few programs prepare players for the mental and physical grind of professional football like Alabama does. That’s one of the reasons so many ex-Tide players get second and third chances in the league—even after stints away from the game.
And while he’s been out of the spotlight, he hasn’t been forgotten by his Alabama family. Coaches have kept in touch, former teammates have offered support, and he’s even been seen back in Tuscaloosa, mentoring younger players and soaking up the culture that first shaped his path. That connection to the Crimson Tide community remains strong—and it could be an asset as he navigates his next steps.
He’s also started leveraging his platform off the field. During his time away, he’s spoken at high school football camps and youth events, sharing his story with honesty and passion. He’s talked about the challenges of staying ready when opportunities disappear, the mental health toll of being cut or overlooked, and the importance of believing in yourself even when it feels like no one else does. These aren’t stories he could’ve told two years ago when everything was going right. But now? They give him depth. Perspective. Resilience.
NFL training camps are opening, and as teams look for depth and upside on their 90-man rosters, there’s a real chance he’ll get another shot. Injuries always open doors in preseason. Veterans retire. Depth charts shuffle. All it takes is one defensive coordinator to see the value in a proven, hungry, physical player who’s just a year removed from the field but still brimming with untapped potential.
If and when that call comes, don’t expect him to treat it like just another tryout. Those close to him say he’s approaching this next opportunity as if it’s his last—because in the NFL, second chances aren’t guaranteed, and third ones are even rarer. He’s ready to contribute not just as a rotational player, but as a locker room presence and special teams contributor. He’s checked his ego. He just wants to play.
And history shows that Alabama players who grind their way back into the league often find success. Just look at guys like Mark Ingram, who faced early injuries but later became a Pro Bowler. Or Marcell Dareus, who had his share of ups and downs but always found a home when healthy and focused. Alabama doesn’t just produce talent—they produce pros. Tough, durable, prideful players who know how to handle adversity.
There’s also an intangible factor working in his favor—his love for the game. This isn’t a player who’s burned out or going through the motions. Despite the layoff, his drive to return has only intensified. The year away was painful, but it was also clarifying. He’s made it clear to those around him that he still has goals: to contribute to a playoff team, to earn a long-term contract, and to prove that his story isn’t over. Not yet.
In a league increasingly built around quick turnarounds and instant results, he stands as a reminder that development isn’t always linear. Some players bloom late. Some need a reset. Some need time to heal, both physically and mentally, before becoming what they were always meant to be.
He may not be a headline name anymore. He may not command the hype he once did as a five-star recruit or an All-American in crimson and white. But don’t be surprised if, by midseason, you see his name back on an NFL roster, making plays, making tackles, making believers out of people who had moved on.
Because some players were built for this game. Some were built to survive what others couldn’t. And if you ask those who know him best, they’ll tell you: he’s not done. Not by a long shot.
