Edge defenders Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu suffered injuries in Alabama's win over Florida State in Week 3, knocking both out of last week's contest against South Carolina. While it immediately sounded as if both would be out multiple weeks, Kalen DeBoer confirmed that during his Monday press conference.
“Both of them will continue to miss some time,” DeBoer said. “Justin will not be as long. Des will be a little further into the season. Justin is a lower extremity, as well as Des."
Both Hill and Umeozulu are key edge players for the Crimson Tide, and in their absence, South Carolina racked up over 200 rushing yards.
While freshman Xavier Griffin was a player we highlighted as taking on a bigger role, he played a lot more off-ball linebacker in his 25 snaps against the Gamecocks. Fatuota Henry and Jah-Marien Latham saw increased off-ball work, and both Yhonzae Pierre and Devan Thompkins saw their highest snap counts of the season.
Mississippi State's run game can cause Alabama fits without 2 key edge defenders
When you think of Mississippi State this season, the first name that comes to mind is star QB Kamario Taylor, who has been among the best quarterbacks in the country in 2026. He's already thrown 14 touchdown passes in four games and has led the Bulldogs to a 4-0 record.
But ignore the Mississippi State run game at your own peril. The Bulldogs are averaging just under 218 yards per game on the ground, a mark that ranks 14th in the country. South Alabama transfer Fluff Bothwell is at 402 yards through four games, eclipsing 100 yards in each of the last three contests.
That's not to mention Taylor, who is the team's second-leading rusher and incredibly difficult to stop with his lively arm, incredible accuracy, and his ability to escape trouble and make plays with his legs. In a lot of ways, Alabama will get to see the other side of defending a QB like Keelon Russell.
Kane Wommack will probably ask even more from Pierre and Thompkins this week. Griffin may be important too with his athletic ability in spying Taylor and being able to track him down if he takes off running. But Henry and Latham will be critical in edge-setting and playing contain to avoid busts.
Alabama had several run defense busts against South Carolina, which allowed the Gamecocks to eclipse 200 rushing yards. That included the first play of the game, which went for 56 yards.
If Alabama allows Mississippi State to eclipse 200 yards on the ground this weekend in Starkville, the path to a Crimson Tide victory gets pretty murky.
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