Alabama Football: Breakout players on the Crimson Tide defense

Alabama football has several defensive players who can have breakout seasons. Check out these Crimson Tiders who could really shine in 2018.

August optimism is the norm in college football. Alabama football fans don’t need much to continue our abundant expectations. At the end of the regular season, Crimson Tide players will again pull in numerous national player awards.

August optimism or not, a few Alabama football insiders are speculating the 2018 team can become the Tide’s most talented ever. That is a bold statement for a team whose defense returns only two players who started more than half of last season’s games.

The many Alabama football names on national awards lists continue a Saban trend. Throughout the 2018 roster are players not on any awards lists, but with big potential. Check out this list of seven Alabama football defensive players who can have breakout seasons.

Breakout players on defense

Shyheim Carter

Nick Saban is clearly pleased with Carter’s development leading into his junior season. Saban has singled out Shyheim for his leadership performance during the spring, summer workouts and fall camp. Newcomer Patrick Surtain Jr. gets much notice for versatility akin to Minkah Fitzpatrick. Carter deserves a similar comparison. Shyheim has worked at cornerback and the nickel back, star position in fall camp. If needed, he could play at ‘money’ in the dime as well. The new secondary has two guys that are first-team locks, Carter and Deionte Thompson.

Xavier McKinney

Unless there is a major change after the next scrimmage or a future injury, sophomore Xavier McKinney will earn another starting role in the secondary. Observers at the first scrimmage said McKinney already performs like a veteran at the safety spot opposite Thompson.

Patrick Surtain Jr.

Can Patrick match the freshman performance of Minkah? Many Alabama insiders think Surtain Jr. will earn a starting role in the dime defense before mid-season. At Saturday’s scrimmage, Jerry Jeudy made Patrick look human, but the young man will catch on quickly.

Quinnen Williams

Alabama football fans are concerned about a defensive line dropoff with Da’Ron Payne moving to the NFL. Redshirt sophomore, Quinnen Williams can play on the interior or at end. Look for him to more than adequately replace Payne at the nose. Quinnen is another player Nick Saban has given praise last spring and in fall camp. He is not as big as Payne but Williams has similar speed, quickness and strength.

LaBryan Ray

The sophomore defensive end will not beat out Raekwon Davis or Isaiah Buggs. Ray will be the first d-linemen rotated in and will end up not far behind in total snaps. Ray has the physical tools to become an impact player similar to Jonathan Allen. Don’t be surprised if Ray performs as an impact player this season.

Eyabi Anoma

This freshman may have the highest ceiling of anyone on the Alabama football defense. He will come off the edge at outside linebacker. Once he learns to play assignment football, he will be a regular in the defensive rotation. As a situational speed rusher, his learning curve is not steep. According to scrimmage observers, the only tackle who could block Eyabi was Jonah Williams.

Johnny Dwight

Dwight will not earn a starting role in the defensive front, but that does not mean he will not contribute. The redshirt senior is finally showing he can be counted on in the regular rotation. While he can play end, look for Johnny to spell Quinnen Williams. With Dwight, the Tide has five steady defensive front players. At least two more are needed, but until Phidarian Mathis or Tevita Musika prove themselves, Johnny Dwight will play a lot.

Other Alabama football defenders will stand out. Guys like Christian Miller, Dylan Moses, Mack Wilson, Anfernee Jennings and Deionte Thompson are expected to shine rather than break out.

Next. Game-by-game regular season preview. dark

There is more to come Alabama football fans. Check back with us on the top breakout players for the 2018 Crimson Tide offense.

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