Interior defensive line ready to set the tone

It has long been anticipated that the strength of the 2024 Alabama Football team will be in the trenches. Alabama is very talented, experienced, and deep along the lines of scrimmage, which should give the team a high floor and could carry it to a banner season.

The defensive line in particular might be the best position group on the roster. This group is incredibly deep and veteran-laden, and should be able to remain fresh throughout games and late into the season by regularly rotating with little to no drop off. 

We have projected the defensive line to be one of the top units on the team all offseason. A week into fall camp, it appears the D-line is living up to the hype. 

Coach DeBoer has praised the group for its consistency, which is no surprise given the number of proven vets up front. This should be among the steadiest and most reliable parts of the Crimson Tide football team all season. 

Graduate Tim Smith, redshirt junior Tim Keenan III, and junior Jehiem Oatis give the Tide an imposing trio at the two defensive tackle spots in Kane Wommack’s 4-2-5 defense. Collectively, these three have played in 93 games with 46 career starts, amassing 183 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 7.0 sacks.

This makes them one of the most experienced and productive defensive tackle rooms in the nation. Add in redshirt junior Damon Payne and sophomore James Smith, who have also spent time in the first-team rotation, and Alabama goes at least five-deep at its two interior defensive line spots. 

At the Bandit, Bama should be just as good. Redshirt senior Jah-Marien Latham and junior LT Overton will likely rotate at the big defensive end position with talented youngsters like Jordan Renaud and Keon Keeley pushing for snaps. 

Alabama should be very stout against the run with this group on the line of scrimmage. Wommack can build the rest of his defense around this interior, and should have the opportunity to get creative. If the Tide can stop the run and pressure passers without having to send extra bodies, it opens up the whole playbook for the young defensive coordinator. 

Look for this defensive line to control the trenches and dictate to opposing offenses all season.