This Saturday afternoon, the Alabama Crimson Tide will play host to the lone FCS team on their 2025 schedule, the Eastern Illinois Panthers.
An opponent that is certainly unfamiliar for Alabama, Eastern Illinois comes to Tuscaloosa as a member of the OVC-Big South who is currently in the midst of a down 2025 season. The Panthers currently come to Tuscaloosa at 3-8 overall, as well as 2-6 in conference play, and are currently on a six-game losing streak.
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Taking a deeper look at the Panthers as well, Eastern Illinois’ roster features some talented players on both sides of the ball, some of which are former transfers from FBS programs.
Following are five players you need to know for Eastern Illinois ahead of Saturday’s Week 13 matchup in Tuscaloosa, each of which will be facing the Crimson Tide for the first time.
Ja’Wuan Nickson, Linebacker, Junior
Ja’Wuan Nickson, a junior linebacker, is a native of Tuscaloosa who is tied for the team-lead with 89 total tackles in 11 games this season for the Panthers. Nickson also leads the Eastern Illinois defense with 8.5 TFL this season, as well as two sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
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Charles Kellom, Running Back, Redshirt Junior
Charles Kellom, a redshirt junior running back, is the Panthers leading rusher so far this season across 11 games. In all, Kellom, an Akron transfer, has rushed for a team-high 726 yards and three touchdowns on 177 attempts, while also having made 16 receptions for 92 yards.
Cole LaCrue, Quarterback, Redshirt Sophomore
The Panthers have used two quarterbacks this season in Connor Wolf and Cole LaCrue, the latter of which is likely the biggest name to know. Across 10 games, LaCrue, a Wisconsin transfer, is completing 55.1% of passes for 851 yards and a 4:6 TD:INT ratio, while also ranking among Eastern Illinois’ leading rushers at 677 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns on 122 attempts.
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Tylan Foster, Linebacker, Senior
Tied atop the Eastern Illinois defense with the aforementioned Nickson in leading tacklers is Tylan Foster, a senior linebacker who transferred from Incarnate Word. Across 11 games this season, Foster has a team-high 89 tackles, 54 of which are solo, along with five TFL and one fumble recovery.
Samuel Robles, Defensive Line, Junior
The final name to know in particular is Samuel Robles, a junior defensive lineman who is Eastern Illinois’ top pass rusher. Across 11 games, Robles has 29 total tackles with 6.5 TFL, one forced fumble, and a team-high four sacks.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football vs. Eastern Illinois: Cole LaCrue among top Panthers
