Alabama Football: Depth is the key for the 2018 defense
By Ronald Evans
Alabama football has abundant talent on the 2018 roster. What it does not have his depth on the defensive line and inside linebacker.
Alabama football may again have the nation’s best team in 2018. Every pre-season poll (except one) has ranked the Tide at No. 1. The optimism for Alabama football is not misguided. The thought of the 2018 team not making the CFB Playoff is almost implausible.
There is a flip side to this rosy perspective. Alabama football returns only three starters on defense. A few more players started one or two games but only three defenders started six or more. In fact, the only returning ‘full-season’ starters are Isaiah Buggs with 13 starts and Anfernee Jennings with 11 starts.
Inexperience will be an issue for the Alabama football defense, but it is not the greatest risk. Saban’s Tide defenses rotate so frequently, quite a few returning players have a good bit of game experience. The September and October schedule allows time for inexperienced players to steady themselves as starters.
Hopefully, that same favorable early schedule will also aid a solution to the Tide’s other defensive deficiency – depth. The Crimson Tide is loaded at outside linebacker. It has an abundance of young depth in the secondary. The depth situation is very different on the defensive line and inside linebacker.
2018 defense is more vulnerable to injury than was the 2017 defense
Simply put, at those two position groups, Alabama football is more vulnerable to injury depletion than it was in 2017. At starters in the 3-4 alignment, the three d-linemen and the two inside linebackers are arguably five of the best players in the nation.
Barring injury, a team can play with two inside linebackers. It cannot play with three defensive linemen. At a minimum, six defensive linemen are needed for a rotation. Adding the potential for injuries, finding another two to four solid contributors on the defensive line is paramount to 2018 success.
The defensive line leading up to fall camp
Who comes in when any of Isaiah Buggs, Raekwon Davis and Quinnen Williams come out? The only sure answer is LaBryan Ray. The sophomore could quickly come close to the talent level of the starters. Beyond Ray, insiders speculate the only other player ready to face tough opposition is the JUCO transfer Tevita Musika.
Based on reports of spring performance, neither Phidarian Mathis or Stephon Wynn have gained solid backup status. Though he is a redshirt senior, who has shown spurts of improvement, Johnny Dwight has not yet proven himself big-game ready.
Needing a minimum of six defensive linemen, the Crimson Tide can currently only count on the five of Buggs, Davis, Williams, Ray and Musika. True freshman Christian Barmore could become the sixth, but he did not arrive in Tuscaloosa until June.
To be prepared for almost inevitable injuries the Tide needs another pair of defensive linemen it can count on. If the insider speculation about Dwight, Mathis and Wynn is correct, there is cause for concern. It would not be a surprise if one or two players on offense were moved to the defensive line. Redshirt freshman, offensive lineman Kendall Randolph would be an option but he missed spring due to an injury. Sophomore tight end, Kedrick James practiced some with the defensive line last season.
Second-team inside linebackers
The depth situation is worse at inside linebacker. If Keith Holcombe does as expected and gives up football for baseball, who steps in for Moses and Wilson? Moving an outside linebacker is an option. Otherwise, the Tide has no ready option at the key position if Dylan or Mack go down.
One insider rumor is junior, defensive back, Jared Mayden is up to 210 pounds and could possibly move to linebacker. He will need even more weight to play linebacker. In terms of rumors, the persistent one about VanDarius Cowan is he will miss at least four games due to suspension. There has been no official word on Cowan. He has the physical tools to be a solid inside linebacker.
How much should Tide fans be concerned? Concern is warranted, but there is no reason for worry. The coaching staff will adjust. A couple of players or more will step up in fall camp. The early games against Louisville and Arkansas State will be an excellent training ground for inexperienced players.
Next: More about the dynamic starters at ILB
This post focused on two team weaknesses. Every team has weaknesses. The Crimson Tide is so strong in other areas and has such a talented roster – there is no cause for alarm.