Kane Wommack names starting ILB next to Caleb Woodson
By Jacob Moss
Published:
The Alabama Crimson Tide are getting ready to take the field in Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time in 9 months, and the defense will be a massive topic of interest for everybody in Tuscaloosa.
The Tide will be replacing nine defensive starters from a unit that was a mixed bag in 2025, including both inside linebackers after veterans Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson both left for the NFL.
Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson has already locked down one of the starting inside linebacker roles, and Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack told reporters on Wednesday that sophomore Luke Metz has been named the other starter next to Woodson for “right now.”
A Peach State native, Metz was a highly sought-after 4-star recruit in the 2025 cycle, and he chose the Crimson Tide over several other top programs, including Georgia, Oklahoma, and Arizona State.
He saw the field in all 15 games for Alabama as a true freshman, primarily on special teams, racking up 7 total tackles and earning Special Teams Player of the Week honors from the Crimson Tide staff for his efforts against LSU.
Now, he’s been given the opportunity to lock down a starting role on defense in just his second season on campus for one of the top programs in the entire country.
