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By Alex Byington Sports Writer
TUSCALOOSA — Only a year into his tenure in Tuscaloosa, former junior college transfer Isaiah Buggs is already indoctrinated into Alabama’s defensive mantra.
“It starts up front. In any game situation, no matter who we play, it starts up front,” Buggs said Thursday. “The front seven, we have to be physical, the most physical on the field.”
Amid widespread turnover on both its defensive roster and coaching staff, the 6-foot-5, 287-pound Buggs is spending this spring developing himself into a leader, as the rising senior end looks to pair with 6-7 junior Raekwon Davis as the only returning linemen with any starting experience.
“Being an experienced player now, I have to take a leadership role,” Buggs said Thursday. “All of the coaches and players are looking up to me to become the leader I need to be to help this team win and be successful for the next season.”
Along with general depth and experience concerns, the significant question mark up front is at its core, where Alabama must replace dominant defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne, a near-certain first-round NFL draft pick next month.
Amid a rather thin group, little-used fifth-year senior Johnny Dwight appears to be the favorite to replace Payne and backup nose guard Joshua Frazier in the middle, while 308-pound redshirt freshman Phidarian Mathis is impressing alongside him.
“They’ve handled it well. … There’s a big difference (without Payne) and they are stepping up and doing what they are supposed to do,” Buggs said of Dwight and Mathis. “They are learning the plays and they’ve been more concerned in continuing to do with what they are supposed to do.”
Alabama’s interior defensive line could be up for a hefty boost later this summer with the expected arrival of junior college nose guard Tevita Musika.
The 6-foot-2, 340-pound sophomore defensive tackle from the College of San Mateo in California reportedly committed to the Tide earlier this week after putting off his 2018 signing decision while attending to some academic issues, according to SEC Country. Musika is a cousin of expected first-round NFL draft pick Vita Vea of Washington.
Alabama hasn't announced Musika’s signing, but coach Nick Saban said on signing day the team intended to explore adding another defensive lineman.
In the meantime, Alabama’s coaches are doing a bit of rotating along its front, including working 290-pound redshirt sophomore Quinnen Williams both inside and out, while sophomore reserves LaBryan Ray and 293-pound walk-on Galen Richardson continue to develop in their second seasons.
“Those guys are coming along great. They'll definitely be in the rotation this year,” Buggs said.
Along with learning to play without Payne in the middle, Alabama’s defensive linemen are also getting used to a new position coach, associate head coach Craig Kuligowski, one of the college game’s most respected defensive line coaches.
“Coach Kool, he's a great coach,” Buggs said, using Kuligowski’s well-known nickname. “Coming from Miami, he's been in the SEC, he coached at Missouri. Missouri has a lot of players in the league. He knows what he's doing.”
Kuligowski is credited with developing four first-round NFL draft picks since 2009 — former Mizzou prospects Ziggy Hood, Aldon Smith, Sheldon Richardson and Shane Ray — as well as 12 total draft picks since 2002.
“When you have a coach like that who has produced that many first-rounders, you know that you hired the best,” Buggs said.
Alabama is emphasizing an improved pass rush this spring. It averaged 53 sacks per season in 2015-16 but dropped to 40 last season.
“There’s not a learning curve to get adjusted to, but it’s just kind of like some new drills,” Buggs said. “Every coach has their own drills they want to bring in, and apparently we need to do a better job of getting to the quarterback. So, that’s what we’re working on, a lot of pass rush.”
By Alex Byington Sports Writer
Buggs seeks to lead remodeled Tide defensive front
“It starts up front. In any game situation, no matter who we play, it starts up front,” Buggs said Thursday. “The front seven, we have to be physical, the most physical on the field.”
Amid widespread turnover on both its defensive roster and coaching staff, the 6-foot-5, 287-pound Buggs is spending this spring developing himself into a leader, as the rising senior end looks to pair with 6-7 junior Raekwon Davis as the only returning linemen with any starting experience.
“Being an experienced player now, I have to take a leadership role,” Buggs said Thursday. “All of the coaches and players are looking up to me to become the leader I need to be to help this team win and be successful for the next season.”
Along with general depth and experience concerns, the significant question mark up front is at its core, where Alabama must replace dominant defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne, a near-certain first-round NFL draft pick next month.
Amid a rather thin group, little-used fifth-year senior Johnny Dwight appears to be the favorite to replace Payne and backup nose guard Joshua Frazier in the middle, while 308-pound redshirt freshman Phidarian Mathis is impressing alongside him.
“They’ve handled it well. … There’s a big difference (without Payne) and they are stepping up and doing what they are supposed to do,” Buggs said of Dwight and Mathis. “They are learning the plays and they’ve been more concerned in continuing to do with what they are supposed to do.”
Alabama’s interior defensive line could be up for a hefty boost later this summer with the expected arrival of junior college nose guard Tevita Musika.
The 6-foot-2, 340-pound sophomore defensive tackle from the College of San Mateo in California reportedly committed to the Tide earlier this week after putting off his 2018 signing decision while attending to some academic issues, according to SEC Country. Musika is a cousin of expected first-round NFL draft pick Vita Vea of Washington.
Alabama hasn't announced Musika’s signing, but coach Nick Saban said on signing day the team intended to explore adding another defensive lineman.
In the meantime, Alabama’s coaches are doing a bit of rotating along its front, including working 290-pound redshirt sophomore Quinnen Williams both inside and out, while sophomore reserves LaBryan Ray and 293-pound walk-on Galen Richardson continue to develop in their second seasons.
“Those guys are coming along great. They'll definitely be in the rotation this year,” Buggs said.
Along with learning to play without Payne in the middle, Alabama’s defensive linemen are also getting used to a new position coach, associate head coach Craig Kuligowski, one of the college game’s most respected defensive line coaches.
“Coach Kool, he's a great coach,” Buggs said, using Kuligowski’s well-known nickname. “Coming from Miami, he's been in the SEC, he coached at Missouri. Missouri has a lot of players in the league. He knows what he's doing.”
Kuligowski is credited with developing four first-round NFL draft picks since 2009 — former Mizzou prospects Ziggy Hood, Aldon Smith, Sheldon Richardson and Shane Ray — as well as 12 total draft picks since 2002.
“When you have a coach like that who has produced that many first-rounders, you know that you hired the best,” Buggs said.
Alabama is emphasizing an improved pass rush this spring. It averaged 53 sacks per season in 2015-16 but dropped to 40 last season.
“There’s not a learning curve to get adjusted to, but it’s just kind of like some new drills,” Buggs said. “Every coach has their own drills they want to bring in, and apparently we need to do a better job of getting to the quarterback. So, that’s what we’re working on, a lot of pass rush.”
By Alex Byington Sports Writer
Buggs seeks to lead remodeled Tide defensive front
