Not getting enough notice is the strong performance of the 2024 Alabama Crimson Tide defense. Only 25 of the 134 FBS teams held opponents under five yards per play. Alabama is tied for No. 10 at 4.72 yards.
Using points allowed as a measurement, Alabama is No. 9 among all FBS teams; at 17.4 points per game. The Crimson Tide hasn't been so stingy since it was No. 1 in Scoring Defense in the 2017 season; at 11.9 points.
The eight teams currently ranked above Alabama Football in Scoring Defense are Ohio State (12.1 points); Notre Dame (13.8 points before holding Georgia to 10 points); Ole Miss (13.9 points before Duke posted two late-game touchdowns to score 20 points on the Rebels); Texas (14.5 points); Army 15.5 points; Indiana (15.6 points); Penn State (15.8 points); and Tennessee (16.1 points).
Not to quibble but only five of the eight teams about Alabama in Scoring Defense are ranked higher than the Crimson Tide in ESPN's Defensive Efficiency rankings. They are, in order, Texas, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Ohio State, and Ole Miss.
In the first half of the 2024 season, Kane Wommack's defense had some serious growing pains. Given the roster turnover in the Crimson Tide secondary, a rocky start was inevitable. In September, the Georgia Bulldogs scorched the Alabama secondary with 439 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Even with the Bulldogs' explosion, Alabama finished the season ranked No. 2 among SEC teams in Passing Defense.
The 2025 defensive two-deep got a big boost from LT Overton's decision to return. Backup Jeremiah Beaman is now expected to transfer. With Tim Keenan and Tim Smith likely moving on to the NFL, at least one more interior defensive lineman needs to be added from the Transfer Portal. Jeremiah Alexander or Justin Okoronkwo are expected to replace Jihaad Campbell at inside linebacker. The 2025 secondary will be in great shape if Domani Jackson waits on the NFL for another season.
2025 Alabama Crimson Tide Defense
The defensive roster will be unsettled until after the spring transfer period, but Kane Wommack may have the good fortune of eight returning starters and a rising star in James Smith on the defensive line. The 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide can become as good, or better than the 2024 group.
Note: Team stats provided by cfbstats.com