An Alabama football no-worries perspective on the Crimson Tide's defense

At SEC Media Days, Nick Saban expressed confidence in and concerns about Alabama Football. He said building consistent performance would be a challenge for Alabama. In particular, Saban pointed out the cornerback group.

Any Alabama Crimson Tide fans stressed about Saban's comments can remember one thing. During his 17 Fall Camps in Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban never lacked concerns about a Crimson Tide team. His most frequent, positive August observation was that some facet of the team, or a certain position group was a 'work in progress'.

Notwithstanding Nick Saban's concern, most chatter about the Crimson Tide, as it heads into Fall Camp is centered on high expectations for Kalen DeBoer's offense. Most doubt about the Crimson Tide's 2024 success is centered on the defense.

Kane Wommack is highly respected among his coaching peers. So too is Co-DC, Maurice Linguist. Less known, but considered an important addition to Kalen DeBoer's staff, is Chuck Morrell. Morell's title is Special Assistant to the Head Coach. He and DeBoer go way back, and most recently Morrell was the safeties coach and Co-DC for DeBoer at Washington in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. With the new role allowing staff members to perform actual coaching, Morrell with Wommack and Linguist, will be key in game-planning.

Alabama assistant Freddie Roach has experience working with elite players. Wommack, Linguist, Morrell, along with Colin Hitschler and Christian Robinson have never had the benefit of working with so much roster talent. The ceiling is high for what the five coaches can do with 'Alabama-level' talent.

In January and February, attrition on the Alabama defense was troubling. At least six players having an opportunity to start or play key roles in 2024, left to join other teams. In addition seven of the Tide's defensive starters left for the NFL. A national overreaction to the rebuild that had to follow was that Alabama had serious deficiencies in its defensive roster.

What was lost in the media-fed gloom and doom was the top talent on the 2024 roster. Let's review the key, returning, and new Alabama defenders, and how they were rated as recruits.

Elite Alabama Football Defenders - 2024 Roster

Note: incoming freshmen, not expected to earn key roles in 2024, are not included in the lists below.

• Defensive Backs - (4) Former 5-star recruits, Domani Jackson, Jaylen Mbakwe, Zabien Brown, and Zay Mincey; (3) Former 4-star, Top 100 recruits, Jahlil Hurley, Keon Sabb, and King Mack. Other Crimson Tide, former 4-star recruits, Malachi Moore, Devonta Smith, Red Morgan, and Bray Hubbard.

• Linebackers - (6) Former 5-star recruits, Deontae Lawson, Jeremiah Alexander, Jihaad Campbell, Yhonzae Pierre, Keon Keeley, and Qua Russaw; (3) 4-star, Top 100 recruits, Keanu Koht, Quandarrius Robinson and Justin Jefferson.

• Defensive Line - (3) Former 5-star recruits, Tim Smith, James Smith, and LT Overton; (3) 4-star, Top 100 recruits, Damon Payne Jr., Jeheim Oatis, and Jordan Renaud. In addition, the Tide returns a solid veteran in Jah-Marien Latham and one of the SEC's most improved players last season, Tim Keenan III.

Let's forget about Alabama's roster losses and realize the Crimson Tide has a defensive roster loaded with talent. There will be growing pains in 2024, but by mid-season, the Tide's defense should be one of the SC's best.