Why LT Overton is Out for the SEC Championship Against Georgia

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer says that the starting BANDIT, plus defensive lineman Kelby Collins, each have an "illness."

Alabama BANDIT LT Overton tackles Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula | Obtained from Alabama Football's X/Twitter

Alabama football released its initial availability report on Wednesday evening ahead of the SEC Championship game in Atlanta, and there was a surprising name listed.

Crimson Tide BANDIT LT Overton was listed as "out" for Saturday's game against Georgia. However, on Tuesday, he was made available to speak to the media ahead of the SEC Championship, and didn't show any signs of an injury — a non-contact jersey, a brace, a boot, etc.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke during Thursday's pregame press conference and shared why Overton is out.

“We do have two players that have illnesses, medical issues, whatever you want to call it, LT Overton and Kelby Collins,” DeBoer said. “They won’t be available for this game.”

When asked the duration that these illnesses could last, DeBoer said that he is "just trying to get through this these next couple of days here and just kind of see."

Overton has 35 tackles for Alabama this season, including six for loss, with four sacks (only trails WOLF linebacker Yhonzae Pierre for the team lead in both categories). Overton was a member of the midseason watch list for the Lombardi Award, the preseason watch list for the Nagurski Trophy, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Wuerffel Trophy and was also named to the SEC Community Service Team.

DeBoer mentioned wolves Pierre and Qua Russaw as the primary candidates to take more snaps in Overton's absence.

With Overton out, redshirt sophomores Jordan Renaud and Keon Keeley are next on the depth chart. In 12 appearances this season, Renaud has 13 tackles, including 0.5 for loss. In 10 appearances, Keeley has eight tackles, including 1.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart discussed Overton's impact during the teleconference, as the BANDIT tied his his season-high in tackles with six during the first game between Alabama and Georgia in September.

"I have a lot of respect for [Overton], we recruited him out of high school," Smart said. "A Georgia kid, his dad was at Bama while I was there and I've known him for a long time. I have tremendous for him as a player and a competitor. I wish him nothing but the best with everything that's going on in his family that way as well.

"For us, it'll just be next-man-up. That's what you do as coaches. You try to prepare for who's going to be there. Again, it's not something that we know how they're going to change things because he's not there. They've got other good players. They've got depth just like we do."

During Overton's Tuesday media availability, he said, "It means a lot" to be playing in the SEC Championship as a senior, but as previously stated, he was downgraded to out. Nevertheless, he is extremely confident in the Crimson Tide with or without him.

"I think we're the best team in the country, regardless of what conference or anybody has to say," Overton said. "It's us against the world, regardless."

In addition to Overton and Collins, DeBoer discussed the latest on running back Jam Miller, tight end Josh Cuevas and left guard Kam Dewberry, who are each listed as questionable on the initial availability report.

"Jam, still questionable," DeBoer said. "We'll see here in the next couple days. Kam Dewberry is coming along here as the week progresses. Josh Cuevas, same as Jam. Kind of see here at the end of the week.

"All those guys a couple weeks down the road will be definitely good to go. Kind of here one week out from last week's game, some of the injuries that have happened, we're not quite sure yet. They're coming along, working, doing everything they can."

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