Kalen DeBoer confirms Alabama LB Justin Jefferson out first half vs. Wisconsin after targeting ejection

Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson was called for targeting in the second half against USF, meaning he would miss the first half against Wisconsin. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack did not particularly agree with the call when speaking on Monday and Kalen DeBoer said the Crimson Tide were waiting on feedback from the NCAA.

Well, they have heard back and nothing has changed — Jefferson will miss the first half during Saturday’s matchup in Madison. DeBoer confirmed the news when speaking Wednesday during the SEC Coaches Teleconference.

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“He’ll be out for the first half,” DeBoer said. “So, confirmed that.”

Jefferson made a tackle early in the fourth quarter and at first, nothing was thought of it. However, the booth initiated the review and confirmed Jefferson was guilty of targeting. He was ejected from the game and now missing the first half, will not play nearly three quarters for Alabama.

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Wisconsin is in a similar situation with a linebacker as Jake Chaney was ejected for targeting in the second half. Luke Fickell was not too happy about Chaney not being able to finish out Saturday’s game, speaking against college football removing players after targeting calls.

“We’re wrong in college football, and I’ll look everyone in the face; we’re wrong in college football to throw kids out of games,” Fickell said following the Western Michigan game. “I’m not just saying that because Jake Chaney got thrown out of the game.

“At some point in time, we try to adopt all these things that the NFL does, but yet we throw out kids that get 12 guaranteed games, to things that aren’t malicious. I’m not saying that taking the head out of the game is not what we need to do, penalize us, and things like that, but to throw kids out of a game, I think it’s the wrong thing. I’ve said that for a couple of years, they [the NCAA] don’t listen.”

DeBoer did not go as far as Fickell saying the rule should be changed but does believe college football needs to find “common ground” with how targeting is worked.

“I think every situation is its own situation,” DeBoer said. “I know for probably many of these guys, it’s unfortunate because they’re trying to do the best they can. They’re not intentionally trying to hurt someone. I know Justin felt that way. Unfortunately, there’s the criteria for it to be targeting. That’s part of the game. As an advocate for the game of football, we got to error on the side of safety. There’s been enough that’s happened throughout the course of the game and history of the game.

“We had to have some rules in place and they are constantly being looked at. Doesn’t mean we can’t stop tweaking things here and there, just try to find that common ground in a scenario that seems best for all because they definitely don’t fall under one category.”