Alabama will be without two key defensive players for the upcoming Citrus Bowl in Orlando Florida. Cornerback Trevon Diggs and outside linebacker Terrell Lewis will choose to sit out of the bowl game to prepare for April’s NFL Draft.  Neither player was present as Alabama began bowl practice today. Diggs was seen on social media on the sidelines of the Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings game this past weekend, his brother, Stefon Diggs, plays wide receiver for the Vikings.

“We have two players who have made the choice to not play in the game — Terrell Lewis and Trevon Diggs,” said Saban. “Every guy’s got a choice and decision to make, and we certainly respect and understand their decision and wish them well in what they choose to do.”

Lewis’s career at Alabama has been marked by injury. He sustained a torn ligament in his arm to open the 2017 season that kept him out of 10 games and he tore his ACL in the summer of 2018 causing him to miss the season and redshirt. Lewis is an athletic specimen and projected to be a late first round or early second round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. In 26 games for the Crimson Tide Lewis amassed 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

Diggs, a four year contributor and a two year starter at cornerback will be a highly sought after prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft. Halfway into the 2018 season, Diggs broke his foot and missed the last six games. In 46 games for the Alabama Diggs recorded 43 tackles, 21 pass breakups, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries with two defensive touchdowns.

The absence of Lewis and Diggs will open the door for Chris Allen and Josh Jobe to start in the Citrus Bowl and gain invaluable experience leading into the 2020 season. Alabama will play Michigan on January 1st on ABC at 12 p.m. central time in Orlando Florida. You can listen to Eli Gold broadcast the game on TIDE100.9 fm or using our tide1009.com/listen-live link or downloading our app.

 

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