ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Terrell Lewis #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts to an interception during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Alabama football has four outside linebackers that will wreak havoc on opposing offenses this fall. The assault on the team record of 53 sacks is squarely in the crosshairs of Alabama defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi.

Alabama football returns juniors Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings, senior Christian Miller and sophomore Christopher Allen to a defensive front seven that could potentially be the best in the country. Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson were lethal on the edges in 2016, but this group has the opportunity to surpass that duo.

Dominate the edge

Terrell Lewis came to Alabama as a five-star recruit, and the number one ranked defensive end in the country in 2016. Named the D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year during his senior season. The sophomore suffered an elbow injury during the Alabama football season opener against the Florida State Seminoles. Lewis returned for the regular season finale against rival Auburn, but he was fully healthy once the College Football Playoffs commenced against the Clemson Tigers.

Standing at six-foot-five and 265 pounds, he is a load to block for opposing linemen and running backs. He has only totaled two sacks in his career, one apiece each season. However, his quarterback sack of Jake Fromm in the title game was a game changer killing the Bulldogs and forcing them into a long field goal in overtime. He added seven tackles in the contest.

Anfernee Jennings’ coming out party was the playoff game against Clemson disrupting the Tigers’ junior quarterback Kelly Bryant all game. He dominated the edge with five tackles, three of them for losses and a sack. Anfernee provided continuous pressure all night forcing Bryant into throwing two interceptions.

The six-foot-three, 260-pound linebacker suffered a knee injury in the closing minutes of the Clemson game. Jennings made his first career start against Florida State but sustained a lower leg injury and did not return in the game.

He missed two games and came back against the Vanderbilt Commodores recording a forced fumble and two tackles. For the season, Anfernee finished with 41 tackles, one sack, and two forced fumbles.

Too much talent, not enough reps

Christian Miller was ready for a breakout season during his junior year. During the Florida State game, Miller suffered a biceps tear causing him to miss ten games. Christian joined the Crimson Tide ranked as the best outside linebackers in the country from South Carolina by ESPN 300.

His potential is blinding when he is on the field. In the 2018 A Day, he finished with four tackles and two sacks.

Sophomore Christopher Allen registered two sacks in this spring’s A day game. Due to all the injuries at linebackers, Allen received significant playing time during his freshman season.

Hopefully, the experience gained will prove useful this season.

Best Linebacking Corps in the Country

Combined with inside linebackers Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses, the linebacking corps can be extraordinary.

These four players possess speed, athleticism, explosiveness off the edge, great hands to get off of blocks and pursue the quarterback or set the edge.

Last year’s Alabama football defense led the country in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense. Defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi was a part of the unit that notched 53 sacks in 2015. The 53 quarterback sacks were the most of any Saban team in Tuscaloosa.

Barring any injuries, that record could perish with this exciting group of outside linebackers leading the rush.

The three NFL draft hopefuls Lewis, Jennings, and Miller, are mentioned in various NFL mock drafts as potential first rounders. Their play on the field this year is crucial for the team to compete for a back to back National Championship.