Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack shared an emotional call with linebacker Justin Jefferson on Christmas Day in 2024, which was no less of a surprise.
Jefferson was set to finish his NCAA Career with his eligibility coming to an end, but a ruling from the court opened the door, allowing the linebacker, who spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide, to return for one more year.
Alabama DC Kane Wommack Surprised LB Justin Jefferson With a Life-Changing Christmas Day Call
Speaking to the Crimson Tide Sports Network this week, Jefferson emotionally revealed the call that gave him one last bit of life in his college football career, granting him one more season of eligibility. He received a call telling him that he would be returning to the program for one final year.
“Man, it was Christmas Day, Coach Wommack called me, and I didn’t want to call you or tell you anything until I knew for real, but yeah, you can come back,” the linebacker revealed, sharing how that felt for him.
“I just started crying because I knew what it was. There was no doubt in my mind, coming back. Do it one more time. A little more experience … I feel like it’s going to be pretty fun.” Jefferson claimed.
“Christmas Day. @KaneWommack called me. I started crying because I knew what it was.”
– @AlabamaFTBL LB @JustinJ1_ on getting the chance to return to the Tide for the 2025 season.@Roger_Hoover‘s Full Interview on Crimson Drive driven by @NASCAR at 2 pm: https://t.co/tgBThLFa8p pic.twitter.com/PzoG65HxOE— Crimson Tide Sports Network (@UA_CTSN) May 15, 2025
The Crimson Tide Linebacker is coming off the best season of his career, becoming a vital player on the Alabama defense under Coach Wommack, registering two sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, 60 tackles, and one forced fumble.
Jefferson will also have to spend his final season competing for the starting spot, with Linebacker Deontae Lawson returning from injury, after suffering an early end to his season last year.
Justin Jefferson Can Thank Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia for a Second Chance
Jefferson spent one season in Junior College, but he was granted an additional year of eligibility due to Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia’s recent court case with the NCAA, in which he argued that his year in Junior College should not count towards eligibility.
“Pavia sued the NCAA in November, claiming the organization’s rule that counts a player’s time in junior college toward his overall years of NCAA eligibility is a violation of antitrust law that was unfairly limiting his ability to make money from his name, image, and likeness,” explained ESPN’s Dan Murphy.
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“We’re not saying the NCAA can’t have eligibility requirements, but a junior college season shouldn’t be the equivalent of an NCAA season when the junior college season has no meaningful opportunities to earn NIL, no television exposure. They take other athletes who are playing somewhere outside of high school and don’t hold those seasons against them.” Pavia’s lawyer explained.
Jefferson’s struggles got recognition and another opportunity with a federal judge officially granting Pavia’s request to spend one more season in college football.
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