Alabama Football: Success In 2017 Depends On The Defensive Line
By Ronald Evans
It’s Time To Review the Numbers
For the Alabama Nickel or 4-2-5, numbers are important to keep the bigger guys fresh. In 2015, Alabama could go 10 deep in the front four. Alabama football did not have the same depth in 2016 and basically relied on seven players.
Was that the difference between a National Championship in 2015 and coming up just short in 2016? A good argument can be made that it was the difference. Alabama looked tired late against Clemson. As the old quote often attributed to Vince Lombardi said, “fatigue makes cowards of us all.”
There were no cowards on the field against Clemson, only courageous young men whose bodies were pushed to their limits. Alabama football needs more depth up front in 2017.
For big-bodied down linemen, the Tide needs a minimum of eight healthy players and nine would be better. Let’s check our numbers:
Locks to Start: Da’Ron Payne and Da’Shawn Hand
Probable Starters: Isaiah Buggs and Quinnen Williams
In the Rotation: Raekwon Davis and Josh Frazier
Hyrid LB/DE: Anfernee Jennings
That is seven players. Alabama football needs two more. Who can provide that essential depth?
Alabama has O.J. Smith, Johnny Dwight, and Jamar King. Of the three, Smith has seen a little action, Dwight, and King virtually none. Reasonable expectation suggests none of these players will be a factor in 2017. It would not be a shock, if one or more transfer or give up football entirely.
Alabama signed two highly rated 2017 recruits in defensive end LaBrayan Ray and defensive tackle, Phidarius Mathis. Both are predicted to have great Alabama careers. Neither enrolled early so both will be miss spring practice.
It is very difficult for a true freshman to earn playing time if they start in the summer. We fans will have to hope Ray and Mathis grow up quickly as football players.
The only remaining option would be an offensive lineman, converting to a defensive line position. Alabama is loaded on the offensive line. Playing time will be precious.
Deonte Brown and Scott Lashley are 2017 freshmen redshirts. Lashley has a chance to win as starting role on the offensive line. During the spring or later, Lashley and Brown may choose to pursue more playing time with a move to defense.
Speed Rusher: Christian Miller
As we said earlier, Christian Miller appears most likely to step into the Tim Williams role. 2017 sophomore Terrell Hall will compete with Miller and is almost certain to be part of the playing rotation.
Alabama is so deep at linebacker, there are ample options for this position.
The 2017 Defensive Line is the key to a Championship.
Does Alabama have the roster resources to replace 235 tackles of the 342 tackles made by the front four in 2016? Does Alabama have the depth in 2017 to go 90-plus plays against a top offense and prevail a winner?
In every other position grouping, Alabama football has the player resources for Championship football. Whether the Tide has sufficient resources at the defensive line position will determine the 2017 season. Will it be a good year or will it be a Championship year? Follow the D-Line for the answer.
Next: Check Out Other Tide Position Battles
Alabama football Spring Practice begins on Tuesday, Mar. 21. The annual A-Day game will be Apr. 22. Let us know what you think about new 2017 starters. Connect with us on Facebook.