In the first Alabama Football Fall Camp scrimmage, the Crimson Tide offense outshined the defense. Some Alabama fans were both elated and concerned. At that point in the preseason, weren't defenses supposed to be ahead of offenses? Will the Tide's 2025 'Swarm D' correct its weaknesses from last season?
There are reasons for optimism that Alabama can become the SEC's best defense, which would almost automatically make it the best in college football. Coaching continuity and returning player experience bode well for the 2025 Crimson Tide defense. Phil Steele tracks two key defensive stats when measuring player experience. Alabama and Vanderbilt are the only two programs ranked in the SEC's top four for both stats. Alabama returns 62.4% of its tackle production from last (No. 3 among SEC teams) and 64.6% of 'Big Play Defense' production (No. 4).
Two doubts about Kane Wommack's defense linger. Alabama was adequate in quarterback pressures last season, but it lacked in sacks and tackles-for-loss. The Crimson was tied at No. 14 among SEC teams in sacks per game average last season, and No. 11 in tackles-for-loss. Success in the coming season depends on improving those stats.
Did Kane Wommack have an SEC learning curve last season? Oklahoma is credited with giving Alabama an offensive scheme for which Alabama was unprepared and to which Wommack was unsuccessful in adjusting. Wommack's scheme may have been tweaked for 2025, but the 'Swarm D' will be basically the same.
Alabama Football Player Trust
Alabama Crimson Tide defenders don't lack trust in Wommack's schemes. LT Overton stated, "Honestly, we stand on that Swarm D identity. We all swarm to the ball. It’s violent intentions everywhere we go. We want to uphold that we are the best defense in the country." High expectations for the Crimson Tide defense are widely shared. Ironically, for the first time at SEC Media Days, Alabama had zero defenders chosen for the All-SEC First Team Defense. Alabama defensive players should not need added motivation, but undervaluing them individually could notch up 'violent intentions.'
Alabama defenders will not violently attack quarterback teammates in the final scrimmage of Fall Camp. Alabama's QBs are rightfully protected from injury. That protection might explain why the Tide offense has at least somewhat outplayed Kane Wommack's defense during the preseason.