Alabama football is awaiting the announcement of a new defensive coordinator hire, but the Bama defense should have plenty of pieces in place to make a jump next season.
Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, outside linebacker Dallas Turner, and defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe figure to be the veteran leaders on all three levels of the defense. Inside linebacker Deontae Lawson and defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis are on breakout watch, and could be the true stars of the unit.
An elite defense requires more than just a handful of star players. It also needs those supplementary pieces that may get overlooked, but do their jobs very well. My “sleeper” picks for the 2023 Alabama football defense are a pair of veterans that have been solid contributors, but haven’t yet fully tapped into their sky-high upsides. These two players have paid their dues, and could be critical members of a revamped Bama defense.
Alabama Football: Tim Smith
Senior defensive lineman Tim Smith is now one of the old guys on the Alabama defense. It feels like just yesterday he was a true freshman wreaking havoc from the interior defensive line on Alabama’s 2020 national championship team.
Smith has always been a good player, and has been productive in his opportunities. Still, he showed the ability to be a game-changer in that 2020 season, and that hasn’t yet come to fruition in a full-time role.
In three seasons in Tuscaloosa, Tim Smith has 59 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He had a penchant for forcing turnovers as a freshman, forcing one fumble and recovering two despite playing mainly spot minutes.
Smith hasn’t been quite as disruptive in the two years since, but he has the ability. His snaps should only increase in his senior season. My eyes will be on Tim Smith to see if he can have a big year, and prove himself as a draftable player on the defensive front.
Alabama Football: Chris Braswell
Senior JACK linebacker Chris Braswell could also be primed for a really good season. Braswell is a talented pass-rusher who was a highly touted 5-star recruit in the class of 2020. For much of his career, he has quietly worked behind guys like Will Anderson Jr., Dallas Turner, and Drew Sanders.
Braswell isn’t the biggest edge player, but he is incredibly strong. He made a big jump in 2022 to become a contributing member of the defense. Braswell has amassed 33 career tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble, with most of that production coming in this past season.
In 2023, he will be challenged to evolve from a pass rush specialist into a more complete player. Braswell will be pushed by young talent such as Jeremiah Alexander, Keon Keeley, and Yhonzae Pierre. Some of these guys may be too good to keep off the field completely.
However, if Braswell can hold them at bay, it means he has likely turned himself into a Day One or Day Two draft selection.
It’s tough to accurately predict what the 2023 Alabama defense will look like for several reasons. Of course, the Crimson Tide still does not even have a defensive coordinator. Additionally, there are so many new faces and so much unproven young talent on the roster that the list of potential “breakout” players is seemingly endless.
I’m looking for seniors Tim Smith and Chris Braswell to play huge roles and become the unsung heroes of the Alabama defense.