This is what we’d like to call big news for Alabama’s defense in 2019.

Terrell Lewis suffered a torn ACL prior to the start of the season, and at that time, Alabama’s defense took a major hit. Lewis is a special pass rusher who was primed for a huge season in Tuscaloosa, but things took a different turn for him before the season.

The junior is draft-eligible, but he announced Thursday during the Orange Bowl Media availability that he’d return for the 2019 season, via Tuscaloosa News’ Ben Jones.

Terrell Lewis said he thought about the NFL but will be back at Alabama in 2019: "I want to play. I want to have a legacy when I leave Alabama."

— Ben Jones (@BW_Jones) December 27, 2018

Since his injury, Lewis has been pushing very hard in his rehab to return to help his team this season, but it appears that he won’t return for the Orange Bowl, per Nick Saban.

Nick Saban said OLBs Terrell Lewis and Chris Allen are "right where they're supposed to be" in their rehab but neither will play against Oklahoma.

— Ben Jones (@BW_Jones) December 27, 2018

Sure, Alabama’s defense is loaded with talented players, and getting Lewis back for 2019 is a major boost. He’ll prove he’s healthy and hopefully catch the eye of NFL scouts.

SDS Staff

Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.