Alabama Football: 5 Tide 2019 signees who’ll have instant impacts

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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3. Shane Lee (ILB/Baltimore, MD) – 4 Stars

With Mack Wilson’s decision to forego his final year of eligibility, Alabama was left with some depth concerns at inside linebacker. Rising junior Dylan Moses will man one of the starting positions, but the spot alongside him is up for grabs with no proven talent waiting in the wings.

The competition figures to come down to rising sophomore Ale Kaho, who thrived in a special teams role as a true freshman, rising senior Joshua McMillon, and rising sophomore Markail Benton. With Lee’s decision to enroll early, he’ll join rising sophomore Jalen Moody in trying to break into that group and compete for a starting role.

Barring something unexpected, it’s unlikely that Lee will grab a starting spot, but he could certainly fight for a spot on the two-deep at inside linebacker, and is likely to be a useful contributor on special teams.

Highly regarded players like Lee typically make their bones on special teams first on kickoff and punt coverage units. Elite prospects such as Reuben Foster and Mack Wilson before him made a name for themselves as thumpers on special teams before becoming starters on defense.

Lee is ranked as the No. 78 overall player in the country and the No. 5 inside linebacker in this class. Lee is a throwback middle linebacker who excels in making plays in the backfield against runners. He’s not as versatile as guys like Rashaan Evans and Mack Wilson have been at the position, but with development he should one day become a starter down the line.

Look for Lee to make an impact on special teams as a freshman as well as providing quality depth at a position of need.