Alabama’s defense is starting to come into focus with the season opener against East Carolina getting closer, and Kane Wommack has begun locking in the pieces across the Crimson Tide’s depth chart.
The front end looks different now that Jeremiah Beaman is out for the season, but the picture there is clearer. On the interior, Alabama has London Simmons, Terrance Green, Kedrick Bingley-Jones, Edric Hill and Steve Bolo Mboumoua in the mix. There’s also Devan Thompkins, who can work as a 3-technique even though he’s also part of the outside rush group.
That edge group gives Alabama real flexibility. Thompkins, Yhonzae Pierre and Desmond Umeozulu enter the year as the Tide’s top pass-rush options, and Wommack said the versatility across the defensive front matters even more with Beaman gone. The message is simple: this group can move around, and Alabama wants that adaptability built into everything it does up front.
At linebacker, the battle is over. Luke Metz won the job next to Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson, beating out Duke Johnson II, Abduall Sanders Jr. and 2026 five-star Xavier Griffin.
Wommack was clear that the room won’t be limited to just the starters, though. “A number of guys” will play, especially Griffin, who the defensive coordinator said could be deployed like Jihaad Campbell both inside and outside.
The secondary is already set at the top, with Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb at safety, Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee Jr. at cornerback and Red Morgan at husky nickel back. But Wommack also pointed to the depth behind them, and that’s where things get interesting for Alabama.
Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. “usually makes plays in big moments” and brings instincts at rover and husky. Chuck McDonald III has made “great strides” at both nickel and cornerback.
Jireh Edwards, the injured five-star freshman, remains highly engaged, according to Wommack. Ivan Taylor, Zavier Mincey, Carmelo O’Neal and the injured Jorden Edmonds are also in the mix to make an impact.
If that depth holds, Alabama could end up with one of the deepest defensive back rooms in the country, and that kind of strength could push the Crimson Tide toward being one of the best defenses in the nation.
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