Defensive Tackle – Da’Ron Payne
Payne is the man in the middle. Spelling Payne will be Josh Frazier and Johnny Dwight. Dwight shared the spring Billy Neighbors defensive lineman award with Da’Ron Payne. If needed, Isaiah Buggs and Da’Shawn Hand can also play inside.
Defensive Ends – Da’Shawn Hand and Isaiah Buggs
Da’Shawn Hand will be expected to fill the Jonathan Allen role. Buggs has impressed since the winter practices prior to the College Football Playoff. The backups will be Quinnen Williams and Raekwon Davis. Davis and Williams performed well in the A-Day game. Davis was voted the Dwight Stephenson Lineman of the A-Day Game. He had seven tackles and a sack in the A-Day game.
That totals seven down lineman and all of them will be needed in a regular rotation. Saban learned years ago that when a defensive lineman runs out of gas, he can rarely recover during a game. Jamar King is an improved player and can be counted on for additional depth.
Late enrollee freshmen, LaBryan Ray and Phidarian Mathis will also have a chance to be part of the 2017 playing rotation.