Anfernee Jennings will miss the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Georgia after undergoing knee surgery, the linebacker announced Wednesday on his Instagram account
No. 4 Alabama will play No. 3 Georgia in the national championship game on Monday, Jan. 8 inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Jennings was one of Alabama’s top defensive performers in its 24-6 victory over No. 1 Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. The redshirt sophomore tallied five tackles, including a team-high three for a loss. He also forced Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant into throwing an interception to defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne in the third quarter. Through 11 games this season, Jennings tallied 41 tackles, six for a loss, with a sack and two forced fumbles. He also tallied four quarterback hurries and had two pass deflections.
Alabama is already without its starting Mike linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (broken kneecap) and backup inside linebacker Dylan Moses (broken foot) for Monday night’s game. However, the Crimson Tide has several players who could fill in for Jennings’ spot at Jack linebacker.
“We have Christian [Miller] and Terrell Lewis and Jamey Mosley’s played before,” Saban said. “Some of the guys that had to play before when other guys were out got some valuable experience, so that’s where we would go.”