At the exact moment Alabama needed a spark, two young defenders answered the call.
The Crimson Tide left Mississippi State with more than a win on Saturday. They also walked away with a pair of encouraging developments on defense, led by true freshman linebacker Xavier Griffin and sophomore lineman London Simmons.
Griffin made his first career start because of injuries in Alabama’s linebacker room, and he made it count. He finished with a team-high nine total tackles and picked up his first collegiate sack, earning SEC Co-Freshman of the Week honors alongside Kentucky wide receiver Kenny Darby.
That kind of impact is no small thing for a true freshman. Griffin was one of Alabama’s standouts in fall camp, and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack made it clear how valuable he was during that stretch.
The Tide asked him to handle several responsibilities, which is a lot to put on a first-year player. Still, Alabama has shown it’s willing to let freshmen play free and learn on the fly.
That approach worked with wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks and defensive lineman London Simmons last season, and Griffin is already paying it back.
Simmons had his own big afternoon in the win. The sophomore lineman logged two total tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, the kind of disruptive stat line that can tilt a game in a hurry.
He’s easy to overlook, but his value shows up fast once the ball is snapped. Simmons brings burst and power, and both showed up when he got after the quarterback. His rise has been steady since last season, when he entered as a three-star true freshman and had to absorb a much bigger role after Jeremiah Beaman’s season-ending injury.
He handled that challenge well, finishing last season with 17 total tackles, 13 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Now, in 2026, Beaman’s reinjured knee during fall camp and absence for the season opened the door for Simmons to take over the starting lineman job for the rest of his college career.
For now, that looks very possible. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman has settled in cleanly, and Alabama hasn’t seen a noticeable drop-off with Beaman out.
The timing matters, too, because Georgia is next. The second-ranked Bulldogs come to town with one of the better offenses in the FBS, and Alabama’s defense will need every bit of that young energy to match it. Georgia has allowed Havoc on just 10.3% of its snaps, while Alabama has forced Havoc on 20% of its snaps.
That sets up a big test for Griffin and Simmons. They already proved they can handle the noise in Starkville. Now they’ll get a shot at the top team in the conference.
In Other News...
Kirby Smart Just Validated Alabamas Identity Ahead Of Georgia
Alabama has spent the season leaning into a physical identity, and that reputation is starting to travel well beyond Tuscaloosa. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has repeatedly pointed to the strength of the defensive line and the groups effort as core traits for this team, a profile built as much on strain and toughness as it is on talent. That kind of image matters in a league where line play and grit usually decide whether a contender can hold up when the schedule gets heavy.
Kirby Smart reinforced that view this week ahead of Georgias meeting with Alabama, acknowledging the Crimson Tides size and physicality while also nodding to the way the roster has been built through recruiting and the transfer portal. Smart also singled out quarterback Keelon Russell for the progress he has made, a notable compliment considering how closely these teams will be studying every edge. For Alabama, the recognition is useful, but it also serves as a reminder that its identity is now clear enough for a rival to see and respect. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Defense Keeps Giving Kane Wommack A Reason To Pay Up
Kane Wommack has built a small but telling tradition around Alabamas defense, rewarding the staff with a Sunday-night dinner whenever the unit finds the end zone or posts a shutout. It is a lighthearted perk, but it also speaks to how much the coordinator values the people around him and the work that goes into producing those kinds of game-changing moments.
The latest tab came after cornerback Dijon Lee turned an interception into a touchdown against Mississippi State, another reminder that Alabamas defense has been creating reasons for Wommack to keep reaching for the check. Wommack said he appreciates the staffs hard work and the chance to sit down together, which makes the gesture feel less like a gimmick and more like part of the programs rhythm. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama-Tennessee Just Got A Twist Fans Will Be Talking About
Alabamas next trip to Knoxville is already on the calendar, and the details around the 2026 matchup with Tennessee give the Third Saturday in October some added shape. The Tide are set to visit Neyland Stadium on Oct. 17, 2026, with a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff and television information to be announced later, while the broader backdrop is the long-running history between the programs and the recent pattern of how their meetings have been handled.
What makes the scheduling note even more interesting is the jersey arrangement attached to the 2026 and 2027 games, a wrinkle fans will have plenty of time to circle. For now, though, Alabamas attention is on the present, with Georgia coming to Tuscaloosa for a home game that is expected to draw plenty of notable attendees, even as the future date with Tennessee starts to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]