| NEWS Two Notable Starters Have Played Their Final Games for Crimson Tide- SI

[Bama News]

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama football team will be moving forward without two key defensive starters, who have elected to sit instead of play in the Citrus Bowl.

Senior cornerback Trevon Diggs and redshirt linebacker Terrell Lewis were not on the field when the Crimson Tide worked out in shorts Monday afternoon. Nick Saban subsequently confirmed that neither will play against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1.

However, all of the other players who are considering leaving early (minus injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa) were in their usual spots. That included running back Najee Harris, wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith, offensive linemen Landon Dickerson, Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Wills Jr., and safety Xavier McKinney.

BamaCentral reported last week that Harris, Jeudy and Wills are expected to enter the 2020 NFL Draft along with Lewis, who has had numerous injury issues during his career.

This season, coming off a torn ACL and then suffering a hyperextended knee, he's been in on just 31 total tackles. He's fifth among SEC defenders with 11.5 tackles for loss and eighth in sacks with six. Lewis has also had a team-high 16 quarterback pressures, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Diggs landed first-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press, second-team from the coaches. He led the Crimson Tide defense in pass breakups with eight, to go with three interceptions and 37 tackles.

According to Pro Football Focus the cornerback allowed a passer rating of just 44.5 when targeted during the regular season and notched an 84-yard pick-six against Arkansas. Diggs also picked up two fumbles and accounted for a score.

Diggs, who has the potential to be a first-round selection, was the lone senior absent from practice.

Patrick Surtain II was lined up next to Josh Jobe during individual drills, and Chris Allen looked like he was in Lewis' spot.

Alabama worked out in 74-degree, cloudy conditions.

Tight end Miller Forristall (throat) was back practicing for the the first time since suffering a voice-box injury that required surgery. Freshmen running back Trey Sanders (foot) was in a black no-contact jersey. Freshman kicker Will Reichard (hip) was on the field with special-teams players.

Freshmen nose tackle D.J. Dale (knee) was not with the defensive linemen. Saban announced that he hasn't responded well to treatment and will be held out as they consider options moving forward.


This story will be updated

 

[Bama News]

Diggs, Lewis will skip Citrus Bowl | TideSports.com

Terrell Lewis and Trevon Diggs have played their last football for the University of Alabama. UA coach Nick Saban confirmed in his post-practice press conference Monday that the starting outside linebacker and cornerback, respectively, will sit out the Citrus Bowl against Michigan. Lewis’...

www.tidesports.com

Terrell Lewis and Trevon Diggs have played their last football for the University of Alabama.

UA coach Nick Saban confirmed in his post-practice press conference Monday that the starting outside linebacker and cornerback, respectively, will sit out the Citrus Bowl against Michigan. Lewis’ decision is not a surprise, as the redshirt junior went through Senior Day festivities against Western Carolina, suggesting his decision to enter the 2020 NFL Draft was already made.

“Every guy’s got a choice and decision to make, and we certainly respect and understand their decision and wish them well in what they choose to do,” Saban said.

“I try to get guys to make business decisions about what they’re going to do. I kind of get it if they’re going to be a high first-round draft pick: the money, versus how you can protect yourself and insure yourself, they make a business decision that says the risk is not worth the reward of playing in the game. But if you’re not in that position, you have an opportunity to showcase your talents and try to impress people with how you play in the game. That’s what I told those guys and it’s their choice.”

For Lewis, his one mostly healthy season was enough to prove a point to NFL franchises. He ended the regular season with the team lead in sacks (7 1/2) and quarterback hurries (16), plus his 11 1/2 tackles for a loss just 1/2 behind Anfernee Jennings.

Injuries kept Lewis out of all but four games in 2017, but three of those games were the Iron Bowl and the College Football Playoff. Lewis had seven tackles and a sack in the national championship win over Georgia.

He missed the entire 2018 season and came back for 2019 on a mission, notching at least one tackle for a loss in the first six games he played. (He missed the Southern Miss game.)

Lewis ends his career 58 tackles, 14 1/2 for a loss, eight sacks, three pass deflections and a forced fumble, all in 26 games played. Lewis came to Alabama as a four-star from St. John’s College High School in Washington D.C., where he was rated as a top 100 prospect.

When Lewis was out, he was replaced by redshirt sophomore Christopher Allen, who was in Lewis’ place in the media viewing periods of Monday’s practice.

Diggs, a senior, was projected to be the No. 11 pick in the draft in The Athletic’s mock draft on Dec. 4. Diggs leaves Alabama with four career interceptions, three of them this year, and two defensive touchdowns in 2019 alone. He broke up eight passes this season, as well, and recovered two fumbles.

In Monday’s practice, Josh Jobe was in Diggs’ place alongside Patrick Surtain II as a starting cornerback.

The offensive weapons that could have followed Diggs’ and Lewis’ suit did not. Running back Najee Harris, left tackle Alex Leatherwood, right tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. and the trio of wide receivers — Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III — were all practicing on Monday, in addition to safety Xavier McKinney. Jeudy tweeted his intent to play in the Citrus Bowl over the weekend.

Other injury notes

UA will be down two defensive starters with Diggs and Lewis starting the next chapters of their football careers, but they could be down another one.

Saban said freshman nose guard D.J. Dale has not responded well to treatment on his knee injury, making him doubtful for the Citrus Bowl. The injury also kept Dale out of the Western Carolina and Auburn games.

“We’re going to explore other protocols to try to get him better,” Saban said.

The Citrus Bowl could be a return for starting tight end Miller Forristall, whose throat injury kept him out for the final month of the regular season. As long as Forristall responds well to the activity and contact, Saban expects him to play against Michigan.

The same cannot be said for freshman running back Trey Sanders. Sanders’ foot injury in the preseason kept him out for the entire regular season, but he made his return to the practice field Monday in a black non-contact jersey. Saban said Sanders is cleared for on-field work, but, “we do not feel that he’s a guy who will be ready to play in the game.”

 

[alabama mike]

To be honest, I cant say that I am surprised by someone making the decision to sit. It also would not surprise me if a few more decided to sit out the game. On the other hand, I am just a little surprised that it was Diggs and Lewis. I personally thought maybe Jeudy, Smith, Ruggs or Harris may elect to sit and they may yet. At this point in their career, they have to make the best decision for them and their family. I wish all of our potential pro players the very best.

 

[bama alum]

Yet...Terrell Lewis has accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl.

Alabama outside linebacker Terrell Lewis accepts Senior Bowl invitation

Alabama will be well represented in Mobile in the new year as outside linebacker Terrell Lewis accepted his invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Lewis, who will be sitting out the team’s bowl game against Michigan, is the fourth member of the Crimson Tide to accept the invitation. He...

tdalabamamag.com

ALABAMA FOOTBALL NEWSAlabama outside linebacker Terrell Lewis accepts Senior Bowl invitation

Alabama will be well represented in Mobile in the new year as outside linebacker Terrell Lewis accepted his invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.



Lewis, who will be sitting out the team’s bowl game against Michigan, is the fourth member of the Crimson Tide to accept the invitation. He will be joining fellow defenders Raekwon Davis, Jared Mayden and Anfernee Jennings who all accepted their invitations as well.

The Washington D.C., native has had his best season by far with Alabama, mainly because he has been able to stay relatively healthy throughout the year. Lewis appeared in 10 games for the Crimson Tide and accumulated 31 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery.

There are still three members of the Alabama football team on the Senior Bowl watchlist. This includes offensive lineman Matt Womack, defensive back Shyheim Carter and Trevon Diggs. Diggs will also be sitting out the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1 against Michigan.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, AL.

 

[rick4bama]

Sad note here!

 

[mando]

Lewis will have to answer to the NFL people why he was willing to play in the Senior Bowl but not with his team in the Citrus bowl.

 

[TideatMileHigh]

Lewis will have to answer to the NFL people why he was willing to play in the Senior Bowl but not with his team in the Citrus bowl.

$

 

[mando]

$

No doubt but could it cost him $. Will it raise any character yellow flags? I wish him well and understand his decision to defer the bowl but why then risk injury in the Senior bowl? The NFL is a business so they will scrutinize everything.