Inside linebacker Justin Jefferson returns to the Alabama Crimson Tide for one final season in 2025 after having a poor breakout season the previous year, but in a BAD CONDITION that fans dislike. According to reports, the…

Inside linebacker Justin Jefferson returns to the Alabama Crimson Tide for one final season in 2025 after having a poor breakout season the previous year, but in a BAD CONDITION that fans dislike. According to reports, the…

BREAKING: Inside Linebacker Justin Jefferson Returns to Alabama for 2025 — But Fans Are Not Happy

Inside linebacker Justin Jefferson is officially returning to the Alabama Crimson Tide for one final season in 2025, but his return has sparked more concern than celebration among fans and analysts alike. After a disappointing breakout attempt in 2024 that fell well below expectations, Jefferson comes back not as the comeback hero many hoped for—but in a condition that’s raising red flags inside and outside the program.

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🚨 According to reports…

Sources close to the Alabama program have revealed that Jefferson reported to summer training camp in poor physical shape, lagging behind teammates in strength, conditioning, and agility drills. One staff member described his current form as “alarmingly off-pace” for SEC-level play, especially for a player expected to command the middle of the defense.

“He’s not where he should be for July,” one anonymous staffer told The Athletic. “This isn’t just about rust—it’s about commitment.”

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🩻 A Lingering Injury or Lack of Motivation?

While Jefferson has not confirmed any major injury, whispers around Tuscaloosa suggest that he may still be recovering from a nagging lower-body issue that limited his mobility last season. Others believe it’s more mental than physical—a confidence problem stemming from last season’s letdown and the constant comparisons to Alabama’s historic linebacker lineage.

“He’s got all the tools, but he just didn’t put it together in 2024,” said a former Alabama linebacker now working as an analyst. “Fans were expecting a Rolando McClain or C.J. Mosley-type emergence—and instead got inconsistency, poor reads, and missed tackles.”

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🧠 Film Room Concerns

Several coaching staff have raised issues with Jefferson’s film preparation and football IQ, suggesting he failed to fully grasp defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s system last year.

“He struggled reading the run-pass option, over-pursued way too often, and cost us big plays in multiple SEC games,” one assistant coach reportedly said. “The physical tools are still there. But it means nothing if he keeps second-guessing himself.”

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📉 Fan Backlash

Crimson Tide fans, known for their unforgiving standards, haven’t held back on social media:

> “Jefferson coming back in that condition? What are we even doing?”

— @BamaGridironTruth

> “If he’s not SEC-ready by August, give the reps to one of the freshmen. We’re trying to win a title.”

— @RTRFootballPod

The general mood is that Alabama can’t afford another liability at inside linebacker, especially with high-stakes matchups early in the 2025 schedule against Texas and Ole Miss.

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🧪 Final Chance in a Loaded Depth Chart

Despite the noise, sources confirm that the coaching staff will give Jefferson every opportunity to redeem himself in fall camp. But it won’t be easy.

Highly-touted true freshman Tyrese Collins and redshirt sophomore Caleb Merriweather are both reportedly ahead of Jefferson in terms of explosiveness and learning curve. Jefferson’s spot on the two-deep chart is anything but guaranteed.

“He’ll have to earn it every single day,” said one insider. “There’s no more name recognition—only production.”

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🔮 What Comes Next?

Alabama fans will be watching Jefferson closely as preseason camp gets underway in early August. Unless he dramatically improves conditioning and reasserts himself in the defensive scheme, this could be a case of a promising talent who never fully capitalized on his potential.

For now, the pressure is on. And in Tuscaloosa, excuses run out fast.

Stay tuned for mo

re updates as Jefferson’s final season with the Crimson Tide unfolds.