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The Tuscaloosa News
Veteran Alabama football linebacker announces return for 2025 season
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Veteran Alabama football linebacker announces return for 2025 season
What Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer originally called "a good Christmas present" all around came to fruition Saturday.
Alabama football linebacker Justin Jefferson announced he would return for the 2025 season after a lawsuit against the NCAA filed by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia allowed student-athletes who once played at a non-NCAA school a waiver to play the 2025-26 school year.
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"Without this legislation, I would not be able to continue playing the game I love at the university I love," Jefferson wrote in a statement. "Alabama is a special place to me and I cannot wait to return for the 2025 season."
Jefferson played in 12 games for the Crimson Tide in 2024. He recorded 60 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, a pass deflection, a forced fumble and two sacks.
"I know he was pretty excited to hear about the opportunity," DeBoer said before the ReliaQuest Bowl. "So that can give you an indication of, kind of, where I think his head's at."
Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) and linebacker Justin Jefferson (15) tackle Michigan Wolverines running back Tavierre Dunlap (22) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Jefferson committed to Alabama as a four-star linebacker out of Pearl River Community College.
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Jefferson gives Alabama a big veteran presence at linebacker after Jihaad Campbell announced he would declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Crimson Tide added Colorado transfer linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green as a likely plug-and-play starter along with Wolf linebacker Qua Russaw.
Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson has not announced his intentions for the 2025 season.
Alabama will take on Florida State to open the 2025 season Aug. 30.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Veteran Alabama football linebacker announces return for 2025
