Dijon Lee Jr. Will be “Held Accountable” After Costly Penalty

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said Monday that Alabama will hold cornerback Dijon Lee Jr. accountable for a costly penalty late in the Crimson Tide’s loss to Georgia.

Alabama fell to Georgia 20-17 in a hard-fought contest, with several missed opportunities ultimately making the difference. However, Lee’s late-game penalty drew attention as the Crimson Tide tried to stop the Bulldogs on third-and-3. Lee punched wide receiver Bulldogs Craig Dandridge, drawing a personal foul that gave the Bulldogs an automatic first down and put them in victory formation. 

Wommack addressed the play during his Monday press conference, emphasizing that the mistake did not meet the standard Alabama expects from its defense.

“That is not the standard of how we operate,” Wommack said. “He will be held accountable for it.”

It wasn't just Lee's one penalty that cost the Crimson Tide; earlier, he allowed multiple key receptions for third-down conversions, and in the third quarter, on third-and-22, he committed a costly pass interference. 

“My job is to get the most out of every single player in our defense,” Wommack said. “And so the things that I need to do to get him to execute at a higher level than what he's doing from an execution standpoint, that's one facet.”

Wommack also explained that Lee’s mistakes and lack of accountability could affect playing time moving forward. 

“From a rep-based standpoint, that will be reflective in what guys have done to this point,” Wommack said.

Alabama will look to correct those mistakes this week as it prepares to face Tennessee on Saturday.