Multiple Starters Announce Plans to Return to Alabama Next Season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — While Alabama has seen a number of announced departures this week, it received some good news from a number of starters Friday. Inside linebacker Henry To’o To’o, defensive tackles D.J. Dale and Byron Young, right guard Emil Ekiyor Jr. and safeties Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams all announced that they will be forgoing this year’s NFL Draft to return to the Crimson Tide next season.
To’o To’o was Alabama’s leading tackler last season with 111 stops, including eight for a loss with four sacks. The Tennessee transfer was consistently praised by his teammates and coaches for coming in right away and being a hard worker to learn the Alabama system.
"For the last year I've been blessed to play football at the University of Alabama," To'oTo'o said in a social media post. "God put me in a place that has welcomed me with open arms and Alabama is my home now. This place helped me to grow as a player and as a man and has introduced me to a group of teammates that will be my brothers for life.
"I loved my experience this past season but things didn't end how any of us wanted. We didn't achieve our ultimate goal. And I can't leave my brothers now knowing that we have unfinished business to attend to. Let's get to work in 2022."
Dale has started the past three seasons at defensive tackle. Last season the Birmingham, Ala., native recorded 18 tackles, including four for a loss with two sacks. Like To’o To’o he feels like he has some unfinished business after Alabama's loss to Georgia in the national championship game.
"We didn't finish this season the way we wanted to and there is still work to be done," Dale said in a social media post. "With that being said, I will be returning for my senior year. We have unfinished business to take care of in 2022."
Battle has led Alabama's safties unit the past two years. This season, the junior recorded three interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns. He also registered 87 tackles, including one for a loss, while tallying three pass deflections.
"These last three years at Alabama have been nothing but a blessing to me and my family," Battle said in a social media post. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to play for the greatest coach of all time, alongside the very best players at the college level. Competing at the University of Alabama has not only made me a better player on the field, but also a great man off of the field.
"Most importantly, I would like to thank God, as well as my family, friends, teammates, mentors, and those who have helped me get to this point in my life. However, I have not accomplished everything that I came to the University of Alabama to do. The job is not done yet.
"With that being said, I will be returning to the University of Alabama for my senior year, expecting to compete for another national championship and to earn my degree."
Hellams took over a regular starting role at safety this season, finishing third on the team with 88 total stops while recording 2.5 tackles for a loss and three pass breakups. He also finished tied with fellow safety Jordan Battle and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis for the team lead in interceptions with three.
“These past three years at Alabama have been special to me,” Hellams said in a social media post. “I’ve worked with some of the best coaches and staff that have helped mold me into a better player and a better person. I’ve also gotten to play with teammates that will be lifelong friends and made memories on the field that I will never forget.
“But when I chose to come to the University of Alabama, I had three main goals — get my degree, be a leader for my teammates, and win multiple championships. I still need time to take care of all three, and I can only do so by staying one more year. I can’t leave now, knowing that I didn’t stay true to my goals.
“I realize that staying for my senior season provides me with the best opportunity to grow as a player, as a student and as a man. This season did not finish how we would have liked. We have unfinished business to take care of in 2022.”
Young played mostly in a rotational role in 2021 before coming on strong at the end of the season, starting the final five games. He finished the year with 19 tackles and two sacks along the defensive front.
"When I chose to come to the University of Alabama, I knew that I wanted to focus on developing myself as a players, as a student and most importantly as a man," Young said in a statement on social media. "I've learned a lot in my three years here. The coaching staff, support staff, and all of my teammates have helped me become all I had hoped for when I signed here.
"But I still believe I have room left to grow, and the only way I can do that is by returning for my senior season. I still have plenty of goals in sight, like graduating and winning another national championship.
"The fans and all of the people at the University of Alabama have been nothing but great during my time here and made this a home for me. This place is truly special and I can't wait to be back in Bryant-Denny for the 2022 season."
The 2022 Alabama defense is shaping up to be in a better and better position with all these juniors returning, plus talented underclassmen like Will Anderson Jr., Dallas Turner, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Brian Branch. On top of all that, Alabama also brings in one of the top transfers in the country with former LSU DB Eli Ricks and another highly-ranked group of freshman.
Ekiyor started every game along the offensive line at right guard for the second season in a row. He had a shoulder injury in the CFP semifinal against Cincinnati, but returned to start and play in the title game against Georgia.
"Making the decision to attend and play for the unviersity of Alabama four years ago was one of the best decisions of my life," Ekiyor said via social media. "My family's consistent support and commitment has been unwavering and priceless; I wouldn't have made it this far without them. My teammates and coaches are family to me and have made the journey even more special.
"The positive impact the University of Alabama has had on my life goes far beyond the football field. The support staff surrounding this program-- medical, strength and conditioning, academic, equipment, athletic department leadership, University leadership and more-- is of the same championship caliber that the fans and world witness on the field.
"'Two important factors that I have always held close since arriving at Alabama are: earning my degree and walking across that stage as an Alabama alum, and ending my Alabama career with a national championship win. That being said, I'm ready to run it back for one last season in Tuscaloosa to handle unfinished business. Roll Tide!"
