Alabama Crimson Tide Fall Camp Preview: How embracing the unknown helps the defense prosper

The Alabama Crimson Tide begins a new era in less than a month.

And while the goal is to uphold the standard Nick Saban inserted into the greatest college dynasty ever, there will be growing pains and changes.

That's especially true on the defensive side of the ball, where a new scheme, coordinator, and crop of players are set to take over for the Tide.

But when you preview the team by position, and who headlines each group it will make you feel much better.

Inside Backers

Deontae Lawson leads not only the linebackers but perhaps the entire front seven as the man slated to run the defense from the middle. A preseason All-SEC first-team defense selection, if the Tide are going to be stout against the run, it's because of Lawson.

Lawson isn't just a one-trick pony, however, having eight pass breakups across just 26 contests. If he can live up to the high expectations, not only will he cement his legacy for the tide, but he could catalyze a deep College Football Playoff Run .

Jihaad Campbell is pairing with Lawson in the 4-2-5 scheme. Campbell returns to the Tide after making his name known in 2023 where he started in eight games and made enough noise to have some projecting he and Lawson to form what could be the best inside backer duo in the entire conference in 2024, something they may need to be to accomplish the Tide's goals ..

Wolf (Traditional Outside LB)

Quandarrius Robinson has been waiting patiently behind the edge talent that Tide fans grew to love via Will Anderson Jr., Dallas Turner , and Chris Braswell. As the top-edge defender on the team, Robinson has a lot of weight on his shoulders given the pedigree of that title.

Bandit (Lighter D-End, Heavier Outside Backer)

Latham is going to be the one in the lead when assessing the depth chart here, and he has flashed an ability to rush the passer and hold firm against the run, something needed in DC Kane Wommack's new scheme.

Defensive Tackle

Keenan is the first of two Tim's (to go along with Tim Smith) to hold down the middle up front in Alabama's 4-2-5 scheme. He took his conditioning seriously last year and could be the next big-time interior presence as he heads into 2024.

Tim Smith is the veteran of the group and flashed how explosive he can be in last year's contest against USF where he recorded nine tackles.

Corner

One of the strongest CB rooms in the country last year, with Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry in the NFL, there is some real turnover in the CB room. The group is headlined by Domani Jackson, a former four-star who transferred from USC in the spring.

Alongside him is another transfer, DaShawn Jones, who comes to Tuscaloosa from Winston-Salem. A former three-star recruit, Jones held down the fort in both coverage and against the run during his time at Wake Forest.

Safeties

The man who needs no introduction, Malachi Moore is back to lead the secondary and defense in general as he roams the middle as the team's free safety. Hoping to boost his draft stock, I expect Moore to have his best year yet.

His running mate at strong safety is projected to be Keon Sabb. Sabb won the national championship with Michigan last year, deciding to take his championship pedigree to Title Town. A former four-star, expect Sabb to make an impact on the backend.

The 11th man on the defense, gone is the star position that coach Saban made so famous, and in, is the Husky position . Just a change in verbiage, it's still another nickel or apex player as the fifth member of the secondary in the 4-2-5.

The man projected to start there is DeVonta Smith, who is known to be one of the faster players on the team and is looking to break out following a preseason injury last year.

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