LT Overton hints at return to Alabama lineup for Rose Bowl Playoff quarterfinal
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
LT Overton has missed Alabama‘s last two games, the SEC Championship vs. Georgia and the Tide’s College Football Playoff first-round win at Oklahoma, with an undisclosed injury.
While Kalen Deboer told reporters on Monday that Overton would be under evaluation for a possible return for the Crimson Tide’s Playoff quarterfinal against Indiana at the Rose Bowl, the senior defensive lineman may have dropped a hint about his availability.
On Tuesday, Overton posted a picture of himself on his Instagram story with the caption “Back like I never left.” Here’s a screenshot of the story via the Tuscaloosa News’ Colin Gay:
If Overton’s able to go for the Tide, it will mean a key defensive weapon at their disposal as they look to neutralize dynamic Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Through 12 games, Overton has posted 35 tackles, including 6.0 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks. He currently has the highest pass-rushing grade out of all of Alabama’s edge players, according to PFF.
The Tide will be looking to punch their ticket to the Playoff semifinals with a win against the top-seeded Hoosiers in Pasadena on New Year’s Day. The winner takes on either fourth-seeded Texas Tech or fifth-seeded Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
