Alabama Football: Final Predicted Defensive Depth Chart

Alabama Football Defense Depth Chart – Defensive Line

Returning the Crimson Tide defensive front four to a Saban standard must be a high priority for Pete Golding. Rotating its front four in waves would be a boon for an inexperienced secondary, needing time to jell. A minimum of eight and perhaps as many as 10 defensive linemen can contribute in 2020.

The Alabama football defensive line is more about rotations than positions. Except for a couple of players, playing either inside or outside is an every play option.

How good can this d-line become? The Crimson Tide has three true freshmen, physically capable of playing this fall.  Unlike last year, they will not be thrown to the fire early. Freddie Roach has the luxury of bringing them along slowly. Tim Smith, for example, would contend for an immediate starting role on other SEC teams. He will have to fight past a reinvigorated Ishmael Sopsher and several second-year players to get into the two-deep.

• Defensive End Starter – LaBryan Ray
• Defensive End Starter – Justin Eboigbe
• Nose Tackle Starter – D. J. Dale
• Defensive End Backup – Christian Barmore
• Defensive End Backup – Byron Young
• Nose Tackle Rotation – Phidarain Mathis
• Nose Tackle Backup – Ishmael Sopsher
• Other Rotational Players – Braylen Ingraham and the three freshmen, Tim Smith, Jamil Burroughs and Jah-Marien Latham

Add up the names and the total is 11 Crimson Tide players for a front four rotation. Golding and Saban may not want to go that deep. Certainly, in the first month of the season, the young guys will be battling learning curves. By the second half of the season, one or more of them could make an impact.

Note: Christian Barmore is recovering from a minor knee injury. He may not be at full speed for game one. Once recovered, he and Justin Eboigbe are expected to receive the equivalent of starter snaps.