Alabama 2014 Position Preview: Defensive Line
As we inch closer to the 2014 Alabama football season, it’s time to take a look at each and every position on the Crimson Tide squad, breaking down man-to-man what we can expect and look forward to this year.
Previous Previews:
Defensive Line
Key Departures: Ed Stinson (NFL Draft/graduation), Jeoffrey Pagan (NFL Draft)
Key Additions: DJ Pettyway (transfer), Jarran Reed (transfer), Da’Shawn Hand (freshman)
Returning Players: Jonathan Allen, Dakota Ball, Brandon Ivory, Korren Kirven, Darren Lake, Dee Liner, DJ Pettway, Jarran Reed, A’Shawn Robinson, Dalvin Tomlinson, Tim Williams
Breakthrough Players to Watch: DJ Pettway, A’Shawn Robinson
Ed Stinson was one of the most consistent and durable defensive linemen Nick Saban has ever had on one of his defenses. Stinson never missed a practice his entire Alabama career, let alone a game.
Jeoffrey Pagan was an extremely strong, athletic lineman as well, but Stinson will surely be the departure most felt across the line.
Luckily for Alabama, the defense boasts one of the deepest d-lines in the SEC, and one of the scariest defensive linemen in the country in sophomore A’Shawn Robinson. Even as a freshman, Robinson looked more like an NFL veteran physically than he did a true freshman. He made his presence known early, sliding into the rotation at defensive end, even starting a game at nose tackle.
Robinson’s size and strength allows him to effectively play the nose, but he is also athletic and quick enough to play on the end. Robinson recorded 38 tackles, eight for a loss, and 5.5 sacks as a freshman. He will unquestionably be called upon to become the most consistent player across the line. He has drawn comparisons to former All-American Marcell Dareus, and so far has lived up to that with his ability to play multiple positions.
Opposite of Robinson in Alabama’s base 3-4 defense will more than likely be Jarran Reed, D.J. Pettway, Dalvin Tomlinson, or Jonathan Allen.
Reed is a JUCO transfer, and is another hybrid player that can play the nose as well. He quickly become one of the top players in Alabama’s d-line rotation in his debut with the team in the spring.
Allen is another sophomore that will see much more playing time in 2014 and is probably the best pure pass rusher among the group. Allen will likely see much of his time when Alabama goes to a four-man line.
Pettway played at Alabama in 2012 before being kicked off of the team for off-the-field issues. He played a season in JUCO excelling as a pass rusher and has returned to Alabama to try and earn back the respect of Nick Saban. He quickly jumped in the rotation with the other defensive ends during the spring and looks to have plenty of playing time in the fall.
At the nose, Brandon Ivory returns for his senior season, where he hopes to improve on his solid 2013. Both Jarran Reed and A’Shawn Robinson could also see some time at nose tackle during the year, along with younger players like Dakota Ball and Darren Lake, who hopes to return from injury. Ball has been playing some at tight end early in fall camp, which could be just an experiment or the start of a position change.
Starters Jarran Reed and Brandon Ivory have both been suspended. It is unclear if they will return to the team before the season starts or not, and while they are suspended it looks as if A’Shawn Robinson is manning Ivory’s spot at nose while Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson have been the first defensive ends in line during position drills.
These suspensions will likely give young players like Da’Shawn Hand and Josh Frazier and others a shot at making some noise in the line rotation. At 335 pounds, Frazier is the heaviest player on the roster. He and Darren Lake are the only other true nose tackles on the team behind Ivory, so they will get a chance to possibly move up the depth charter as well.
For an in-depth look at all the position battles for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2014, download our 2014 Alabama Football Viewing Guide.