BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
For the most part, the same defensive line that tormented opposing quarterbacks last season is back for round two.
Whereas other position groups are facing major turnover, Alabama’s defensive line will be unscathed as all three starters off of last year’s fearsome threesome front return for 2015.
The returners are highlighted in the middle by prototypical nose tackle in 6-foot-4, 320 pound A’Shawn Robinson, who has started 16 games in his first two seasons, including 13 last year as a full-time starter.
Flanking Robinson to either side will be junior Jonathan Allen, who led the team with seven quarterback hurries and 5.5 sacks, and the elder statesman in senior Jarren Reed, who also started 13 games a year ago and led all linemen with 55 tackles. The line actually received a relative experience boost — albeit a controversial one — with the signing of junior college nose tackle Jonathan Taylor, who appeared in 10 games with Georgia in 2013.
Along with Taylor working behind Robinson, the Tide has a second-team unit most teams around the SEC would crave, with senior and junior ends D.J. Pettway and Dalvin Tomlinson, respectively, providing experienced depth.
Departed (2014 stats)
Brandon Ivory, Sr., DT — 13 tackles, 0.5 for loss; Dee Liner, Soph., DT — opted to transfer after managing just one tackle in 3 games last season; Michael Newsome, Sr., DE — n/a; Anthony Orr, Sr., DE — n/a.
Spring flings
Jonathan Allen, Jr., DE — 33 tackles (11.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hurries; Dakota Ball, Jr., DT — n/a; Joshua Frazier, Soph., DT — n/a; Da’Shawn Hand, Soph., DE — 7 tackles (2 for loss), 2 sacks; Stephen Hodge, Sr., DL — n/a Bernel Jones, Sr., DE — n/a Korren Kirven, Jr., DE — 1 tackle; Darren Lake, Jr., DT — 5 tackles, 1 quarterback hurry; Jake Long, Jr., DL — n/a; D.J. Pettway, Sr., DE — 23 tackles (3 for loss), 2 sacks, 5 quarterback hurries; Jarran Reed, Sr., DE — 55 tackles (6.5 for loss), 1 sack; A’Shawn Robinson, Jr., DT — 49 tackles (6.5 for loss), 4 quarterback hurries, 1 blocked kick; O.J. Smith, R-Fr., DT — n/a; Jonathan Taylor, Jr., DT — A controversial JUCO addition this offseason after he was dismissed from Georgia last summer for an alleged assault, Taylor provides immediate depth behind Robinson; Dalvin Tomlinson, Jr., DE — 22 tackles (5.5 for loss), 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries
Incoming
Daron Payne, 5-star DT
Anfernee Jennings, 4-star DE
Storylines
With so many returning players, will anyone step out and create some serious competition along a loaded defensive front? And how will Taylor’s arrival affect the rest of the unit? Alabama has been relatively close-lipped about Taylor and his questionable past, preferring to focus on providing the talented player a second chance at making it in the SEC.
Given his potential, Taylor could be a difference maker along the Tide’s front three, providing a backup with starting ability. The defensive line will only get better once summer rolls around with several talented prospects coming in that could make an immediate impact, including highly-touted five-star tackle prospect Daron Payne.
Outlook
A fierce unit last season, leading the SEC and ranking among the top four rushing defenses allowing an average of 102.43 rushing yards a year ago, Alabama’s front line could be even fiercer in 2015.
As long as the unit can stay relatively intact and avoid any major injuries or setbacks, SEC offenses will undoubtedly have their work cut out for them this coming season against a unit that could once again be one of the best in the country.
Decatur Daily—Continue reading...
Whereas other position groups are facing major turnover, Alabama’s defensive line will be unscathed as all three starters off of last year’s fearsome threesome front return for 2015.
The returners are highlighted in the middle by prototypical nose tackle in 6-foot-4, 320 pound A’Shawn Robinson, who has started 16 games in his first two seasons, including 13 last year as a full-time starter.
Flanking Robinson to either side will be junior Jonathan Allen, who led the team with seven quarterback hurries and 5.5 sacks, and the elder statesman in senior Jarren Reed, who also started 13 games a year ago and led all linemen with 55 tackles. The line actually received a relative experience boost — albeit a controversial one — with the signing of junior college nose tackle Jonathan Taylor, who appeared in 10 games with Georgia in 2013.
Along with Taylor working behind Robinson, the Tide has a second-team unit most teams around the SEC would crave, with senior and junior ends D.J. Pettway and Dalvin Tomlinson, respectively, providing experienced depth.
Departed (2014 stats)
Brandon Ivory, Sr., DT — 13 tackles, 0.5 for loss; Dee Liner, Soph., DT — opted to transfer after managing just one tackle in 3 games last season; Michael Newsome, Sr., DE — n/a; Anthony Orr, Sr., DE — n/a.
Spring flings
Jonathan Allen, Jr., DE — 33 tackles (11.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hurries; Dakota Ball, Jr., DT — n/a; Joshua Frazier, Soph., DT — n/a; Da’Shawn Hand, Soph., DE — 7 tackles (2 for loss), 2 sacks; Stephen Hodge, Sr., DL — n/a Bernel Jones, Sr., DE — n/a Korren Kirven, Jr., DE — 1 tackle; Darren Lake, Jr., DT — 5 tackles, 1 quarterback hurry; Jake Long, Jr., DL — n/a; D.J. Pettway, Sr., DE — 23 tackles (3 for loss), 2 sacks, 5 quarterback hurries; Jarran Reed, Sr., DE — 55 tackles (6.5 for loss), 1 sack; A’Shawn Robinson, Jr., DT — 49 tackles (6.5 for loss), 4 quarterback hurries, 1 blocked kick; O.J. Smith, R-Fr., DT — n/a; Jonathan Taylor, Jr., DT — A controversial JUCO addition this offseason after he was dismissed from Georgia last summer for an alleged assault, Taylor provides immediate depth behind Robinson; Dalvin Tomlinson, Jr., DE — 22 tackles (5.5 for loss), 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries
Incoming
Daron Payne, 5-star DT
Anfernee Jennings, 4-star DE
Storylines
With so many returning players, will anyone step out and create some serious competition along a loaded defensive front? And how will Taylor’s arrival affect the rest of the unit? Alabama has been relatively close-lipped about Taylor and his questionable past, preferring to focus on providing the talented player a second chance at making it in the SEC.
Given his potential, Taylor could be a difference maker along the Tide’s front three, providing a backup with starting ability. The defensive line will only get better once summer rolls around with several talented prospects coming in that could make an immediate impact, including highly-touted five-star tackle prospect Daron Payne.
Outlook
A fierce unit last season, leading the SEC and ranking among the top four rushing defenses allowing an average of 102.43 rushing yards a year ago, Alabama’s front line could be even fiercer in 2015.
As long as the unit can stay relatively intact and avoid any major injuries or setbacks, SEC offenses will undoubtedly have their work cut out for them this coming season against a unit that could once again be one of the best in the country.
Decatur Daily—Continue reading...
