Alabama football’s line of defense is unlikely to be all that different from the one that helped win a national championship in 2020.
Sure, Christian Barmore is going to the NFL, but most of the group is returning for the 2021 season.
Here’s a look at the men on the front lines of the Crimson Tide Defense as Alabama prepares for the fall exercises on Friday, July 6th.
Line of defense
Separate starters: Christian Barmore (designed by the New England Patriots)
Returnees: Jamil Burroughs (Sophomore), DJ Dale (Junior), Justin Eboigbe (Junior), Braylen Ingraham (Redshirt Sophomore), Jah-Marien Latham (Sophomore), Kyle Mann (Sophomore), Phidarian Mathis (Redshirt Senior), LaBryan Ray (Redshirt .) Senior), Tim Smith (second), Stephon Wynn Jr. (Redshirt Junior), Byron Young (Junior)
Additions: Anquin Barnes Jr. (Beginner), Monkell Goodwine (Beginner), Tim Keenan III (Beginner), Damon Payne Jr. (Beginner), Chase Quigley (Beginner),
Analysis: The Crimson Tide loses its statistically most productive player in Barmore. He had 9.5 tackles for the loss and a team high of eight sacks. But apart from him, Alabama is largely returning to the same group on the defensive. Mathis is at the top of this group with one last season in Tuscaloosa. And with a good season, he too could hear his name in the early rounds of the draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked him # 3 on the defensive tackle in the early rankings for the 2022 draft class. There is a lot of football to play, but Mathis assumes that the unit is always present. Other defensive line rotation veterans will also be back, such as Dale, Eboigbe and Young. Ray will also try to do his part after having injured him at times during his college career. For younger players, Smith is one who could take a big step in his sophomore season. Latham could too. He was voted Most Valuable Lineman of the Spring Game.
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