Projecting Alabama Football depth chart before fall camp: Defense

Alabama will return to the practice field on Wednesday, July 31, so what better time than the present to break down its depth chart – albeit a projected one – for the 2024 season?

First off, let’s make one thing clear: this is not the Crimson Tide’s official depth chart. This one is derived from what transpired in the spring, what we saw during the media viewing periods and A-Day Game and what we think will happen. With the explanations out of the way, BOL takes a stab at projecting Alabama’s depth chart ahead of its preseason camp.

We end with a breakdown of the defensive side of the ball, which returns five starters.

BANDIT

Projected starter: Jah-Marien Latham

Top challengers: LT Overton

Reserves: Keon Keeley , Jordan Renaud

This is one of the new personnel terms in Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack ’s 4-2-5 scheme. It will be played by some of the leaner defensive linemen on the roster, and guys like Latham and Overton, who are both listed at 275 pounds or lighter, are ideal fits on the end of the line of scrimmage. Latham is one of the veterans along the Tide D-line, while Overton is a new addition from Texas A&M. They should lead the Bandit unit this fall, with younger guys like Keeley – who moved from linebacker – and Renaud providing depth.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Projected starters: Tim Keenan , Tim Smith

Top challengers: Jehiem Oatis , Damon Payne , James Smith

Reserves: Edric Hill , Hunter Osborne , Jeremiah Beaman , Isaia Faga

The rest of the defensive linemen on Alabama’s roster – and there are a lot of them – will man the defensive tackle and nose guard positions. Keenan and Smith started double-digit games a year ago and will look to lead the group in 2024. Oatis dealt with injuries last season and in the spring but should be part of the rotation. The same goes for Payne and Smith, who were key reserves during the 2023 campaign. We’ll see how many defensive linemen receive snaps in the fall at one of the deepest positions on the Crimson Tide’s football team.

WOLF

Projected starter: Quandarrius Robinson

Top challengers: Keanu Koht , Qua Russaw

Reserves: Yhonzae Pierre , Jayshawn Ross , Noah Carter

The Bandit and Wolf positions will flank the defensive tackles with the latter being manned by the outside linebacker types. Alabama has to replace both of its starting edge rushers from last year’s defense, but it has several former elite recruits who have waited their turns – none more than Robinson, who was first up in the spring. Koht and Russaw also received first-team reps back in April and could give the Tide a talented trio at the position. It will be interesting to see how many Wolves play because Pierre could also take the next step.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

Projected starters: Deontae Lawson , Jihaad Campbell

Top challengers: Justin Jefferson , Jeremiah Alexander

Reserves: Justin Okoronkwo , Sterling Dixon , Cayden Jones , Quinton Reese

Behind the four-man front sits the two off-ball linebackers, with the strong-side ‘backer being known as the Sting. Lawson and Campbell will man those spots and should thrive in this new “Swarm” defense, should they both stay healthy. Campbell missed the A-Day Game, which allowed Jefferson to receive first-team reps, while Alexander and Okoronkwo opened the final practice with the second unit. Okoronkwo led all players in tackles, showcasing the quality of depth at the ILB position behind two All-SEC-caliber veterans.

CORNERBACKS

Projected starters: Domani Jackson , Zabien Brown

Top challengers: DaShawn Jones , Jahlil Hurley , Jaylen Mbakwe , Zay Mincey

Cornerback was one of the thinnest position groups for Alabama this spring with only one player back from last year’s team (Hurley). Jackson, a transfer from USC, has a good grasp on one of the starting spots, but the competition at corner looks pretty wide open before fall camp. To cap the spring, Brown started the A-Day Game, which is why he is a projected starter here. But the others can’t be counted out yet, including Jones, who joined the team after the spring via Wake Forest. This battle is where our eyes will go on Day 1 of camp.

HUSKY

Projected starter: DeVonta Smith

Top challengers: Red Morgan , Kameron Howard

The fifth defensive back role is now known as the Husky, and we saw a couple of players man it during spring ball. Smith’s 2023 campaign was cut short due to injury, and although he was still rehabbing it, he was able to be on the practice field more and more and started in the slot in the A-Day Game. Earlier in the spring, Morgan saw work with the first unit, and the underrated 2024 signee should continue to compete at Husky. Alabama added a couple of safety transfers who could see reps there, too, and for now, we see Howard as an option.

SAFETIES

Projected starters: Malachi Moore , Keon Sabb

Top challengers: Bray Hubbard , King Mack

Reserve: Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.

Playing at the former Star position for most of his career, Moore focused solely on safety in the spring. Together with Sabb, who transferred from Michigan after winning a national title, they give Alabama one of the best safety duos in college football ahead of the 2024 season. There isn’t a lot of experience behind them, however, even with the Tide adding Howard and Mack out of the transfer portal. Hubbard had a nice showing on A-Day after contributing on special teams last fall, and Kirkpatrick could fill a similar role as a rookie.

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