Justin Eboigbe opens up on his health entering camp

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe missed the majority of the 2022 season with a season-ending neck injury. But as the Crimson Tide prepares for the 2023 campaign, their veteran leader along the defensive line is back on the field with the rest of the team preparing for their season opener, which is less than a month away.

Recently, Eboigbe took some time to discuss how he’s feeling health-wise during Alabama’s fall camp.

“I’m feeling 100 percent. I’m feeling perfectly healthy. I felt the same way I did in the spring. I’m feeling great. Each and every day is just a great day for me. And just looking forward to practicing later on,” said Eboigbe.

Eboigbe, a 6-foot-5 Forest Park, GA, native, has been at Alabama ever since committing to the school as a part of their 2019 recruiting class. According to On3’s Industry Rankings, he was the nation’s No. 69 recruit and was No. 8 among the linemen. The former high-caliber 4-star recruit has played in 33 games for the Crimson Tide. In those games, he has recorded 59 total tackles, 29 solo, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

Last season, Eboigbe played in just four of Alabama’s 13 games. With him back and fully healthy this season, fans should expect for him to play a key role in the Crimson Tide’s defense this season.

Eboigbe reveals the best advice he received after season-ending injury

Eboigbe also revealed he had a tough time during his recovery process, but some sound advice helped him through the challenging time. While going through rehab, the severity of the injury plus the recovery time (six months) seemed like it was going to be an eternity before he could get back to full strength.

Doctors preached patience toward Eboigbe, who listened to their advice and is on track to play in Alabama’s season-opener in September.

“The best advice I got was from [Alabama associate AD of Sports Medicine] Jeff Allen, he said, ‘It’s season-ending, not career-ending,’” Eboigbe revealed. “The worst thing that can happen is you getting in your own head and thinking, ‘is this it for me?’ I stayed behind the words that he told me and [it made me realize] that my season might be over, but my career is not over.

“Every day I woke up, there were tough days and stuff like that, but knowing that the game of football is not going to be taken from me forever and knowing that it’s just a small setback. I knew that every time I worked, every time it was time to do something, I knew I was going to come back.”