Justin Eboigbe reflects on 'long road' back amid strong 2023 season

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama’s 34-20 win over Tennessee meant a lot to a lot of people. It’s a rivalry game, after all. But the win might have meant just a little bit more to Justin Eboigbe.

After the game, Eboigbe tweeted, “Great Win…If Only You Knew Where I Was This Time Last Year”

Last year, Eboigbe was sidelined by a neck injury that prematurely ended his senior season. He missed the final nine games of the 2022 campaign before being cleared in the spring. Eboigbe was able to play in the 14-point win over the Volunteers, recording eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, a year after having to watch his teammates lose to Tennessee, 52-49. 

Speaking to local reporters on Wednesday, Eboigbe elaborated on his 13-word tweet.

“Just a long road,” Eboigbe said “This time last year, just recently had surgery, still up in the air whether I’d be able to play again, seeing my brothers out there and not being able to get the job done in Knoxville. 

“To be out there on the field with them, to get that get back with them in a sense and just being able to go out there each day and work for what I’ve been working for since I was five years old and just see how far I’ve come from a situation that was up in the air and just seeing how things have changed in a year’s time.”

He was able to help his team get revenge on last season’s loss to the Vols. With LSU next up on the schedule, is there any extra motivation entering the Week 10 matchup with the Tigers?

“I would say that any game is extra motivation, but especially games that we didn’t get the job done last year is a little bit extra motivation,” Eboigbe said. “I feel like it’s no need for any external motivation that’s needed between coaches or media or anything the opposing teams said or has done. 

“I feel like every time we get to step on that field, especially myself, it’s just a blessing and opportunity not only for myself but my team, especially the defensive side of the ball. And I’m looking forward to it.”

When Eboigbe has stepped onto the field this fall, he has been a consistent performer for the Alabama defense. The fifth-year senior has recorded 39 tackles, which ranks seventh on the team and leads all defensive linemen, and is third in both sacks (3.0) and tackles for loss (5.5) for the Crimson Tide behind outside ‘backers Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell.

A starter in all eight games, Eboigbe’s return to the lineup has been a welcomed one.

“Having him come back, as an older head, as a veteran, it’s really good to have a guy like that,” Turner said. “He’s surrounded by a young group at defensive line, as well, so he can lead them in the right direction, tell them what’s right from wrong, give them tips and be a good brother. 

“It’s also good to have a guy like that on the line of scrimmage because he knows his stuff, he’s smart, so he communicates and we can be on the same page about a lot of things.”

Eboigbe is playing at a high level right now, but not one appreciates it more than him.

“I feel like it’s just preparation,” Eboigbe said. “Anybody knows me, in the meeting room, I’m always watching film on my iPad. Whether I’m at home watching film of them, looking at little things, looking at screens, looking at run plays, looking at passing sets, looking at a lot of things. 

“And then just understand like just having the opportunity to be one of the 11 guys out there, you’ve got take that as a responsibility to give it your all. So I’m trying to give it all I’ve got when I touch the field.”

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