Kalen DeBoer is an offensive-minded coach, and now, after losing him to the Seattle Seahawks last season, he has his longtime offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, back on his staff for the 2025 season. DeBoer and Grubb will orchestrate an offense that, though it’s going through a significant transition at quarterback, has one of the best wide receivers in the country and a supremely talented offensive line. Yet, there might be even more reason for optimism on the other side of the ball.
Pro Football Focus has been increasing its footprint in the college football space, and this year, that includes preseason positional rankings based on its analytics and grading system. While some people may caution you to take PFF ratings with a grain of salt, it’s still notable how the 2025 Alabama defense stands out in their formula.
As Next Round Live relayed in a recent broadcast, Alabama is one of four teams in the country with a top 10 defensive line, linebacking group, and secondary, according to PFF. Further, Alabama is the only team in the country with a top 10 player at every position on defense.
Alabama is the only team in college football with a Top-10 player at every defensive position, according to @PFF. pic.twitter.com/ifw2VjxacQ
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) July 21, 2025
Kane Wommack’s defense could be the most talented in the country
Veterans LT Overton and Tim Keenan III lead the way for Alabama on the defensive line, but the Crimson Tide are stacked at all three levels. Perhaps the most important aspect of Alabama's loaded defense is that DeBoer didn’t need to go back into the transfer portal much to amass that level of talent.
Deontae Lawson figures to be the top returner in a loaded group of linebackers with Justin Jefferson, Cayden Jones, and one of the few transfer additions, Nikhai Hill-Green. Philadelphia Eagles first-round pick Jihaad Campbell is the major loss from that group, but it should still be one of the strongest in the country.
The secondary could be the biggest strength of the Alabama defense, with two returning safeties who played over 400 snaps last season in Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard, and both starters back at cornerback, Zabien Brown and Domani Jackson.
Last season, with many of the same players and the same defensive coordinator, Kane Wommack, Alabama finished 21st in total defense and 10th in scoring defense. The Crimson Tide also finished 17th in defensive success rate. The group could take a step forward in all of those categories with another year in the system and one of the most talented units in the country.