HOOVER, Ala. -- When asked about a certain young linebacker, Nick Saban first pointed out that Alabama’s inside linebacker position is one of the deepest on its entire 2017 roster.

With that being said, there’s no denying the promise or talent of sophomore Mack Wilson.

The former five-star recruit showed flashes as a reserve last season, most notably on his bone-crushing hit on Texas A&M’s Speedy Noil on a kickoff return (more on that in a minute). He also caught a touchdown pass against Kent State, lining up as a fullback.

Those plays gave fans a glimpse of Wilson’s ability, which has also impressed his head coach. But have they been enough to increase his chances of contributing on defense this fall?

“Mack has had a really good summer,” Saban said Wednesday at SEC Media Days. “We have a lot of confidence in his ability. I think he’s starting to mature and develop the confidence and understanding in the system to have a role and be a good player for us.

“So, we’re excited about him making a contribution at that position. And he’s so athletic, that maybe we could even develop him as a rusher because he is a very explosive guy.”

Alabama LB Mack Wilson

With another Carver (Ala.) High School product in Shaun Dion Hamilton sidelined with an injury this spring, Rashaan Evans and Keith Holcombe were the two primary middle linebackers for the first-team defense. Wilson spent the 15 spring practices with the second team, ending them with five tackles and one tackle for loss in the A-Day Spring Game.

While there are older and more experienced linebackers ahead of him in the pecking order, the 6-foot-2 Wilson has seemingly built onto the foundation he laid in 2016 ahead of 2017.

Wilson appeared in all 15 games as a true freshman last season, recording eight tackles and one quarterback hurry. Most of his time was spent as a reserve defender, but what he was able to accomplish early on as a fullback and on special teams for the entire season show the coaches wanted him on the field.

And that viral hit on Noil, the Montgomery, Ala., native showed why that was the case.

“He made a good play, that’s a big-time hit,” Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk said at SEC Media Days. “Those are the type of hits you’ve got to expect to take when you’re playing top-tier teams like that in the SEC. Every week they’ve got guys like that running down that are big, 250-pound linebackers running down trying to take your head off.”

While Wilson actually weighs 236 pounds, Kirk’s point is still well-received.

But whether or not he can see more of the field on defense this fall remains unclear. Yes, he has taken strides in his development and maturation within the program, but there are a number of older linebackers ahead of him right and a lot of time left between today and the Sept. 2 season opener versus Florida State.

“I’m not sure right now because it’s still early in the summer, but he’s definitely been improving since last season,” junior safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said in Hoover, Ala. “He’s been maturing a little bit, and I feel like it’s kind of my job to get him right for that role and the older guys to get him right for that role.

“So, if he’s ready, he’s ready. If he’s not, he’s not.”

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