Three things Alabama fans want to see out of Kane Wommack’s defense
Kane Wommack’s Swarm defense will take the field in Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time tomorrow, and Bama fans will have high hopes for the new-look unit after nearly two decades of Nick Saban calling the shots.
In week one against Western Kentucky, Alabama will face a pretty unique offensive system led by quarterback TJ Finley. In 2023, the Hilltoppers’ pass heavy attack ranked 15th in the country in passing yards per game and 6th nationally in passing attempts. They threw 36 passes or more in all but two games, and attempted more than 48 passes in four different outings.
While veteran quarterback Austin Reed accounted for most of these attempts, even backup redshirt freshman Caden Veltkamp was trusted to air it out when he got his opportunity. Veltkamp threw 52 of WKU’s season-high 56 passes in leading the Hilltoppers to a bowl win over Old Dominion last season. Veltkamp is expected to continue in his backup role behind Finley this year, but the point is that Western Kentucky’s offensive approach remains the same regardless of who is at quarterback.
In most years, Alabama fans would want to see a stingy run defense on display in week one, but it’s hardly applicable given the opponent. With that being said, here are the top three things Tide fans want to see from Wommack’s Crimson Tide defense against WKU.
Pressure on the quarterback
Wommack’s “Swarm” philosophy emphasizes getting pressure on the passer, something that should be on display throughout this week one game against Western Kentucky. Wommack has stated that “we are very focused on takeaways here, and creating takeaways. And you create takeaways by creating pressure on the quarterback.” He has done extensive research on the root cause of turnovers, explaining that “the vast majority of them come from the pressure on the quarterback.”
Wommack wants to be able to affect opposing quarterbacks without having to commit extra bodies. On the edge, Quandarrius Robinson and Keanu Koht will get the first crack at getting after TJ Finley. Highly-coveted redshirt freshman Qua Russaw should also get opportunities.
Defensive linemen like Tim Keenan III, Jehiem Oatis, LT Overton and the rest of this deep group should be able to push the pocket against WKU’s offensive line. When Bama does blitz, linebackers Deontae Lawson, Jihaad Campbell, and Justin Jefferson have proven they can wreak havoc.
Forcing turnovers
Generating turnovers should run parallel with getting pressure on the QB for the Alabama defense. Look for the Tide pass rushers to also play the ball and try to force some fumbles. When Bama played TJ Finley in 2020, Christian Barmore was able to get a strip sack on the massive QB. When it played him again in 2021, Josh Jobe was able to get a critical interception on Finley.
The Tide’s pressure should create some opportunities for its young secondary to make plays on the ball. If this unit can come up with an interception or two, it will really help to build confidence as the competition gets tougher.
Limit big plays in the passing game
Just as the Alabama defense wants to make big plays, it wants to limit them for the opponent as well. With this secondary playing together for the first time and WKU fielding a lot of talent at receiver, it’s almost inevitable that the Hilltoppers will capitalize on an explosive play or two. It goes without saying that the more Alabama can limit these chunk plays, the better.