🏈 Could Alabama's defensive line actually be even better than last year?

[Matt Zenitz |]

Alabama's defensive line is arguably the best in the country, even after losing A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed

Departed: A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, D.J. Pettway, Darren Lake

Returning starters: Senior Jonathan Allen, sophomore Da'Ron Payne

Other returning players: Junior Da'Shawn Hand, redshirt senior Dalvin Tomlinson, junior Josh Frazier, redshirt sophomore O.J. Smith, redshirt sophomore Johnny Dwight, redshirt senior Dakota Ball

Summer arrivals: Freshman Raekwon Davis, freshman Quinnen Williams, junior Jamar King

Allen was named first-team All-SEC as a sophomore last season

Outlook: Alabama has to replace two of the top defensive linemen in the country, Robinson and Reed.

No problem.

Allen is arguably the top defensive lineman in the country. Payne and Hand are two freakishly strong and athletic former five-star recruits poised for breakout seasons, and Tomlinson is ranked by CBS Sports as the sixth-best NFL draft prospect among senior defensive linemen.

Even after losing two second-round picks, there probably isn't another defensive line in the country with a better top-four than Alabama.

The only issue with the defensive line is depth.

The defensive linemen behind the top-four are a combination of newcomers and players with very limited game experience.

The four returning scholarship defensive linemen behind the top-four have just three career tackles combined.

"I feel like it is pretty rare to have that speed and power at multiple positions across the front"

He did it early last year


Battle to watch: The three newcomers and the combination of Frazier, Smith, Dwight and Ball will compete to be part of Alabama's defensive line rotation.

Keep an eye on: Frazier.

He's a former four-star recruit who was the sixth-ranked defensive tackle and 85th-best overall prospect in the 2014 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Projected two-deep: Allen, Payne, Tomlinson/Hand, Frazier, Smith, Dwight

* Starters are in bold

Continue reading...

 

[TerryP]

Summer arrivals: Freshman Raekwon Davis, freshman Quinnen Williams, junior Jamar King

A FWIW in case you missed conversations in other threads ...

Jamar King is not a summer arrival. He's not on campus yet. He just finished his last course work Friday, the 29th. While he's expected to qualify, he still has to make it through the NCAA's Clearinghouse.

Raekwon is a summer arrival, but it's still up in the air if he'll see the field this year. He's enrolled, on campus, and practicing. IF he doesn't get his approval, he'll remain in class and continue practicing but will redshirt for 2016.

And, as stated more than once by a few here: Frazier, Smith, and Dwight have yet to prove themselves consistent. While their issues aren't identical, they are all related to one thing. As of the spring they didn't give any impression they are ready for the full slate of games in the fall of 2016.

 

[TerryP]

Just to add a quick note on the word "approval" with Raekwon ... it's my understanding he's looking at an Academic Redshirt (which would have been a guy headed to Prep or JUCO in the past.) There are appeal avenues available.

If you're unfamiliar with Academic Redshirt count yourself among tens of thousands. It's a new rule passed by the NCAA for 2016.

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Important_New_Rules/2016_DI_Academic_Requirements.pdf

 

[bamachine]

I think they could be a better pass rush with a little drop off in run stopping. Still should be good at run stopping but look for those numbers to go up a little, while they may get more sacks and pressures. Not sure about batted passes, as we lost one of our best at that, with losing A'Shawn.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Just to add a quick note on the word "approval" with Raekwon ... it's my understanding he's looking at an Academic Redshirt (which would have been a guy headed to Prep or JUCO in the past.) There are appeal avenues available.

If you're unfamiliar with Academic Redshirt count yourself among tens of thousands. It's a new rule passed by the NCAA for 2016.

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Important_New_Rules/2016_DI_Academic_Requirements.pdf

Are you hearing anything to the effect that we are also appealing BJ Emmons?

 

[TerryP]

Are you hearing anything to the effect that we are also appealing BJ Emmons?

Yes, they are.

I know Raekwon only missed being a full qualifier by .05 of a credit hour. I was told about BJ a month or so ago and simply can't remember what his story was in terms of what he was "lacking." The blame for the lack of memory falls all on Blanton's.

 

[TerryP]

@TUSKstuff Did a little digging ... told not to worry on Emmons from one guy I explicitly trust.

 

[Tidestalker]

To say this DL could be BETTER than last year's is a long shot. The depth and talent with that group was unrivaled... The starters might be comparable, but the backups would have to dominate to be in that conversation.

Terry - Can you give a quick/simple explanation on Raekwon? Do you expect him to be academic red shirting this year, or possibly playing as a freshman? Or not even get to Alabama? I'm confused.

I'd like to add to the mix a freshman named Terrell Hall. He was 6'5 & 250lbs in high school, and arguably one of the most physically gifted DL's we've ever signed. I know that our DL's are generally bigger, but there's a chance he could get on the field this year if he has put on weight this off season. I also like what Quinnen Williams brings to the table as well. 2 great signings last year.

 

[TUSKtimes]

@TUSKstuff Did a little digging ... told not to worry on Emmons from one guy I explicitly trust.

Thanks a lot. You never know, he might have to be TJ Yeldon good as a freshman.

 

[TerryP]

Terry - Can you give a quick/simple explanation on Raekwon? Do you expect him to be academic red shirting this year, or possibly playing as a freshman? Or not even get to Alabama? I'm confused.

Here's how this has been explained to me ... with this caveat. Since this rule is new (it was announced several years ago it would be starting this year) it's hard to make any educated guess or supposition how this ends up.

Now...

He was told by his high school counselor that he was good to go: test scores, GPA, and core classes. They were wrong. He was short ½ credit hour in his core classes according to the NCAA's Clearinghouse. (Not a lot different than Lorenzo Carter a couple of years ago.)

Due to his GPA and test scores, he was accepted at UA. He's enrolled and been doing well in his summer course load at UA. But, when it comes to getting on the playing field in games it comes down to what the NCAA has set as the standard for core classes and since he's short, he's not eligible.

As an Academic Redshirt he'll still be able to participate in practices like any other player that's been 'shirted.

IF the appeal is granted by the NCAA—and we should know here shortly—he'll be able to participate from game one on.

 

[TerryP]

Thanks a lot. You never know, he might have to be TJ Yeldon good as a freshman.

Or an Eddie Lacy as a frosh.

Both Emmons and Jacobs have a hell of a lot of talent. It's my opinion both Clark and Marks would get significant playing time at a lot of schools.

I see rival fans excited about what they perceive as a lack of depth. I also see them thinking the lack of experience is going to mean a great deal to the running attack this season. Granted, I see some Bama fans living in a world of paranoia about the same. I remain steadfast in how I feel.

 

[Tidestalker]

Here's how this has been explained to me ... with this caveat. Since this rule is new (it was announced several years ago it would be starting this year) it's hard to make any educated guess or supposition how this ends up.

Now...

He was told by his high school counselor that he was good to go: test scores, GPA, and core classes. They were wrong. He was short ½ credit hour in his core classes according to the NCAA's Clearinghouse. (Not a lot different than Lorenzo Carter a couple of years ago.)

Due to his GPA and test scores, he was accepted at UA. He's enrolled and been doing well in his summer course load at UA. But, when it comes to getting on the playing field in games it comes down to what the NCAA has set as the standard for core classes and since he's short, he's not eligible.

As an Academic Redshirt he'll still be able to participate in practices like any other player that's been 'shirted.

IF the appeal is granted by the NCAA—and we should know here shortly—he'll be able to participate from game one on.

Thanks Terry. Makes sense. A redshirt would not be a terrible situation, and might be his likely role anyway. As long as he's on campus and practicing, we're headed in the right direction.

 

[TerryP]

And just as a for what it's worth ...

There's been rumor getting out there today that neither Emmons or Davis will qualify. After a bit of surfing it's my conclusion this all started earlier today with a post over on a LSU forum and it quickly turned into a trending topic around SEC forums—all from one post, one poster, who knows N.O.T.H.I.N.G. about what's going on at the Capstone.

we're headed in the right direction.

From what I'm told he's been doing very well with his college course load this summer. That's something I'm assuming UA will point to with his appeal especially if it's a college course he's passing that's the same as the ½ credit he's short. (IE: Short on English, but passing Comp 101, etc.)