Alabama Football Depth Chart: Defensive Line Depth

The official Alabama football depth chart was released yesterday, and it certainly included some surprises. The depth chart received a wide variety of reactions, but most were pleasant.

Of course, Alabama football is stacked at running back and linebacker. Its outside linebacker room is the deepest in the country, and its running back room is likely in that conversation as well. With that being well understood, I wanted to take a look at some other promising position groups that have an abundance of depth, starting with the defensive line.

I really like Alabama’s depth on the defensive front. The Crimson Tide should be able to comfortably get into its two-deep rotation (and in some cases three-deep) with effective players. One of the surprise starters on the Alabama defensive line was true freshman Jaheim Oatis, who is listed as a co-starter at nose guard along with senior DJ Dale. These two should form an elite duo at nose.

Dale, a three-year starter, has boundless experience and is comfortable playing his assigned gap as a run stuffer. Oatis, on the other hand, is massive and apparently has the ability to wreak havoc from the interior. Fall camp reports from coaches and teammates alike indicate that he has been all but unblockable at times.

Junior Tim Smith has been in a similar position to Oatis over the past two years, getting snaps at nose guard and pushing DJ Dale. Smith has now been moved to defensive end and has claimed a starting position in week one. This could be great news for the Tide, as Tim Smith has flashed incredible potential in the past. This is a draft eligible year for him, and he will have the opportunity to earn a lot of money. Smith is backed by classmate Jamil Burroughs, another player who coaches have raved about this offseason. If he can live up to that billing, he will push Smith for snaps.

At the other defensive end, Alabama will rotate two of the most experienced players on its roster in Byron Young and Justin Eboigbe. I personally believe Young can be one of the best defensive linemen in the nation by November. He will be spelled by Eboigbe, who most of the fan base assumed would be a starter. The two have combined to play in over 60 career games.

This is a very solid two deep across the board in my opinion. Alabama football will boast an extremely experienced defensive line that will only be supplemented by a player like Jaheim Oatis, who may have the highest ceiling of the bunch.