When Alabama football “struggles” on the field or on the recruiting trail, that struggle is typically relative. A disappointing season or recruiting class for Alabama under Nick Saban still ranks among the elite tier nationally. Nonetheless, the program has set a very high standard for itself. Those within the program, as well as the fan base, expect that standard to be met in every facet of the game.
Alabama Football: Relative struggles in D-Line recruiting
For several years now, Alabama fans have been frustrated with the team’s defensive line recruiting. On paper, this seems ridiculous. Alabama has continuously and routinely brought in 4-star and 5-star defensive linemen.
The issue is, the fan base has grown accustomed to landing the absolute best players at every position. Tide supporters expect to reel in game-changing defensive linemen that will be impact players from day one.
It is true that Alabama has missed on this caliber of defensive line recruit recently. The Crimson Tide have largely drawn from the second-tier at this position group. These are still high level players, but they are typically guys that need a couple years of development upon arriving on campus.
This doesn’t mean there is a shortage of talent on the defensive front for Alabama football. The 2022 unit will feature former top-100 players such as Byron Young, Justin Eboigbe, Tim Smith, Damon Payne, Monkell Goodwine, Khurtiss Perry, and Jaheim Oatis.
Alabama football fans will continue to crave top-notch defensive linemen. It is important to recognize that Coach Nick Saban has his own process for identifying and prioritizing talent. He seems content with the recruits he has landed and, while they haven’t been dominant, they have been effective.
It feels like there has been a drop-off in recent years, and yet Coach Saban has put a defensive lineman in the first two rounds of the NFL draft in seven straight seasons. With talented upperclassmen such as Young, Eboigbe, and Smith on the roster, I think he will continue that streak this year.
Still, the fact remains that Alabama has consistently missed on the elite tier of defensive linemen over the past couple recruiting cycles. Too often, they lose these players to direct competitors such as Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas A&M.
Alabama Football: State of 2023 DL Class
The most recent recruit to spurn Alabama was Peter Woods, a 5-star defensive lineman out of Alabaster who opted to go to Clemson. Shortly after, the Tide also lost in-state 4-star Kelby Collins to Florida. Many Alabama football fans are holding out hope that Woods and Collins will eventually flip back to their home state school.
While this will remain a possibility all the way up until signing day, there is enough talent still available for Alabama to construct an impressive defensive line class without these two.
Alabama recently supplemented its 2023 class with 4-star defensive lineman Edric Hill. Hill joins fellow 4-star Hunter Osborne as the Tide’s lone two defensive line commits thus far in the 2023 cycle. These two form a solid foundation, but Alabama football continues to seek more talent.
The Crimson Tide seem to be in good position with James Smith, the no. 2 interior defensive lineman in the nation. The 5-star out of Montgomery likely won’t make a decision until winter, but he could be the difference maker along the line of scrimmage that this class is missing. If he comes to Tuscaloosa, Smith would join safety Caleb Downs as the crown jewels of a historic defensive recruiting haul.
If Alabama misses on Smith as well, it could potentially fill the void with 4-star Daevin Hobbs. Reuben Bain and Jordan Renaud are also impressive 4-star recruits. Bain and Renaud are both undersized, and could easily end up as edge players as opposed to interior defensive linemen.
Much of the Alabama cohort is unhappy with the current state of the 2023 defensive line recruiting class, but the cycle is far from over. Hunter Osborne and Edric Hill may not be ranked particularly high. Still, the pair form a very solid base for this class to build on.
Alabama football will certainly bring in another commit or two, we will just have to wait and see who it can get.