📡 Why Alabama defensive line should again be dominant

[Matt Zenitz |]

Alabama has to replace Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson


Projected depth chart:

Defensive end -- senior Da'Shawn Hand, junior Isaiah Buggs

Nose guard -- junior Da'Ron Payne, senior Josh Frazier

Defensive end -- sophomore Raekwon Davis, redshirt freshman Quinnen Williams

Departed: Jonathan Allen (69 tackles, 10 1/2 sacks), Dalvin Tomlinson (62 tackles, three sacks), Dakota Ball (12 tackles)

Due to arrive in the fall: LaBryan Ray, Phidarian Mathis

Outlook

In 2015, it was A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed and Jonathan Allen.

Last year, it was Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson.

Now, it will be Da'Ron Payne and Da'Shawn Hand leading Alabama's defensive line.

Even after losing Allen and Tomlinson, the Crimson Tide should still have one of the best and most imposing defensive lines in the country because of Payne, Hand and young players such as sophomore Raekwon Davis.

Breaking down the situation at Alabama offensive line before the 2017 spring practice.

Payne was a contributor as a freshman in 2015, started last season and is now seemingly ready to establish himself as one of the top defensive lineman in the nation.

During Alabama's spring testing, the 6-foot-2, 310-pound Payne bench-pressed 545 pounds, squatted 635 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.03 seconds, a very good time for a player his size.

Hand is a former top recruit who has contributed as a rotational player the last three years. With Allen and Tomlinson gone, he will be depended on to take a step forward as a senior and become a productive starter.

Hand, Davis, four-star junior college transfer Isaiah Buggs and redshirt freshman Quinnen Williams are among the players that will be in the mix for the defensive end jobs vacated by Allen and Tomlinson.

Gone are two of the Tide's top three receivers from last year as well as wide receivers coach Billy Napier

Like Payne and Hand, Davis, Buggs and Williams all posted good numbers during Alabama's spring testing.

All three ran the 40-yard dash in 5.12 seconds or better. In addition, Davis was tied for second on the team with a 335-pound power clean while Buggs bench-pressed 455 pounds and squatted 585 pounds. Williams had a 545-pound squat.

Other players like senior Josh Frazier should be factors in Alabama's defensive line rotation as well.

Frazier was the backup nose guard behind Payne last year and posted eight tackles and a sack.

Continue reading...

 

[EasyTider]

Wishful thinking????

We've lost a ton of D-line talent in 2yrs but I thought 2016 would be a struggle with what we lost on DL so I will drink more kool-aid.

 

[Tidestalker]

-Payne is the real deal... I think we can all agree he's going to be a top 3 DT in the country. So we're set there.

-At this point Hand will probably not "special" in the Jon Allen/A'Shawn type of mold... But he should be improved and a good player.

-Frazier played more towards the end of the year which was a great sign. He showed signs of being more than just a plugger... He should be good for us.

-But IMO, it will come down to Buggs. Top JUCO DL should be more than just another dude. We should be able to tell quickly... Because I could see Saban starting Payne at DE and Frazier at NG if Buggs doesn't make an impression. Obviously when they go to 4 DL's they all could play.

-Tough to expect much from Q Williams as a RS Freshman, but maybe he's a sleeper. Love him out of H.S. Same with R. Davis except he's got a little experience and mammoth size. Fingers crossed.

 

[TerryP]

-Payne is the real deal... I think we can all agree he's going to be a top 3 DT in the country. So we're set there.

When I read "he's going to be a top 3 DT in the country" I thought that's a tall order. You may be right. From what I've read the '18 draft for DT's is going to be fairly deep. The kid from Florida, Brantley, is one of the best I've seen along the line. I still wish Bama could have persuaded him to at least take an official but he was Florida all the way.

Out of curiousity I looked at WalterFootball's mock for '18 and see they've got Payne listed as the 10th best DT for next years draft. Now, how much stock do we put in that early projection? They have Elam at 13--need I say more?

Tough to expect much from Q Williams as a RS Freshman, but maybe he's a sleeper.

Jon Allen/A'Shawn type of mold

Considering what Allen, and Anderson, and Dunbar have said about Williams I think you're underestimating him. I wondered when he signed if he'd end up remaining at an end--almost a rush specialist kind of guy--due to how he reported. He's put on over 30lbs since he arrived weighing in at that 300 mark now.

It's my thought if we jumped ahead a year we'd find threads talking about whether or not he remains for his R Jr. season. In his case I see no other option but to take the word from his teammates and coach when they say he's going to be special--in an Allen mold.

 

[TerryP]

Out of curiousity I looked at WalterFootball's mock for '18 and see they've got Payne listed as the 10th best DT for next years draft. Now, how much stock do we put in that early projection? They have Elam at 13--need I say more?

Oh, and they have LSU's Godchaux ranked higher as well ... there's a case of inconsistency, defined. I think he can be as good as he wants to be this upcoming season. Those injuries LSU suffered last season had him moving around a lot; spending more time on the outside than inside. To me, I feel about him the same way I felt about guys like Fornette going into last season's game--he's got a lot to prove.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Didn't seem like we tried to cultivate a whole lot of DL depth during the season. Maybe that's because of a changed philosophy from Pruitt, or we have struck out with guys like Dwight, King, OJ Smith. Frazier struck me as a player that couldn't get on the field enough but has the goods to do well otherwise, so maybe some of these guys just haven't been given the oppronunity yet?

But Terrell Hall, Quinnen Williams, even Isaiah Buggs, along with maybe a Raekwon Davis needs to get to starter level sooner than later. I hope these 4 have a great spring.

 

[TerryP]

@TUSKstuff

Just for the sake of reference...defensive snaps for '16 - '17.

 

[Tidestalker]

When I read "he's going to be a top 3 DT in the country" I thought that's a tall order. You may be right. From what I've read the '18 draft for DT's is going to be fairly deep. The kid from Florida, Brantley, is one of the best I've seen along the line. I still wish Bama could have persuaded him to at least take an official but he was Florida all the way.

Out of curiousity I looked at WalterFootball's mock for '18 and see they've got Payne listed as the 10th best DT for next years draft. Now, how much stock do we put in that early projection? They have Elam at 13--need I say more?





Considering what Allen, and Anderson, and Dunbar have said about Williams I think you're underestimating him. I wondered when he signed if he'd end up remaining at an end--almost a rush specialist kind of guy--due to how he reported. He's put on over 30lbs since he arrived weighing in at that 300 mark now.

It's my thought if we jumped ahead a year we'd find threads talking about whether or not he remains for his R Jr. season. In his case I see no other option but to take the word from his teammates and coach when they say he's going to be special--in an Allen mold.

OK so maybe we can't all agree Payne's a top 3 DT. IMO he is and will be, especially if he can show some versatility playing alongside Frazier this season.

I was referring to D'shawn Hand not being in the company of A'Shawn and Allen as stud returners. This late in the game it's hard to see him making that type of jump.

As far as Q Williams, he's just a RS freshman this year. So he would be eligible to leave after his RS soph season which would be jumping a year ahead. Regardless, I think he's got a ton of potential. Great that he's put on the lbs already, we will need him.

 

[TerryP]

OK so maybe we can't all agree Payne's a top 3 DT. IMO he is and will be, especially if he can show some versatility playing alongside Frazier this season.

A "tall order" isn't one that can't be filled. :devil:

I can't think of the kids name off the top of my head. I remember him visiting in December and a few weeks later visiting FSU following their title run. He committed to Michigan State and if I'm not mistaken he led Sparty in TFL last season. He, alongside with Brantley, are two of the best I think we'll see playing this fall and getting their share of accolades.

Mack at aTm is a good one as well. There's a lot of talk in state about the season they are expecting out of Wilkins at Clemson. Another kid Bama recruited, Vanderdoes, has a lot of expectations on him as well.

I certainly believe it well within reason to think he can be a top three DT going into the draft. I also believe there's some good DT's out there this season as well. In the end, it's all about how he's used (which I think we can all agree on.)

I was referring to D'shawn Hand not being in the company of A'Shawn and Allen as stud returners. This late in the game it's hard to see him making that type of jump.

Misunderstood that. Mea culpa.

 

[bradenob]

A "tall order" isn't one that can't be filled. :devil:

I can't think of the kids name off the top of my head. I remember him visiting in December and a few weeks later visiting FSU following their title run. He committed to Michigan State and if I'm not mistaken he led Sparty in TFL last season. He, alongside with Brantley, are two of the best I think we'll see playing this fall and getting their share of accolades.

If you're talking about Malik McDowell - he declared and is considered a very high draft choice. In fact, I think you're off on several of these guys. Brantley declared for the Draft

Mack at aTm is a good one as well. There's a lot of talk in state about the season they are expecting out of Wilkins at Clemson. Another kid Bama recruited, Vanderdoes, has a lot of expectations on him as well.

Vanderdoes was in the Senior bowl, and is projected as a later round draft pick. Watkins declared as well.

WalterFootball.com: 2017 NFL Draft: Defensive Tackle Rankings

 

[TerryP]

In fact, I think you're off on several of these guys.

I am in NO WAY surprised that I have missed a few who have declared in the guys I listed. Outside of Bama, I have very little clue who enters the draft every season outside of some of the major players in CFB (see SEC and upcoming schedule for the Tide) each season--your Fournette's, guys like Myles Garrett and Carl Lawson, these are the ones that catch my attention. (It would be easier for force me to watch an episode of say ... Downtown Abbey [never watched an episode] that it would to convince me to watch, or follow, the NFL. In my opinion, it's a bad product. Some call it the No Fun League; I tend to prefer No Football League.)

That said, Wilkin's from Clemson (pants grabber from last year vs Ohio State.) hasn't declared for the draft. I see Godchaux and McDowell have decided to leave early.

'preciate you noting this!

 

[musso]

A most unpersuasive article. Lots of reasons to be concerned about our DL depth. I'm betting it is a principle factor for our speculative "return" to a more ball control offense. Need to desperately limit the D's reps. Behind the starters is a vast unknown ...

 

[bradenob]

A most unpersuasive article. Lots of reasons to be concerned about our DL depth. I'm betting it is a principle factor for our speculative "return" to a more ball control offense. Need to desperately limit the D's reps. Behind the starters is a vast unknown ...

Agreed. Look at the snap counts posted by Terry. When I look at OJ Smith and Jamar King that basically says it all. Not saying they won't provide depth this year, but they were 'given up on' for the year, for sure.

Maybe King 'gets it' this year? I will give him a pass for coming from JUCO and hold my breath. OJ - no way.

R Davis and Q Williams, I believe, will play significant snaps, helping depth.

It would remain to be seen if Terrell Hall is big enough to become a J Allen type - he is a beast so that would be great.

I am sure hoping Buggs can help - sounds very athletic.

I think LaBryan Ray is athletic enough that he can provide some depth if he has been serious in the weight room. I don't see Mathis helping us this year.

 

[musso]

It would remain to be seen if Terrell Hall is big enough to become a J Allen type - he is a beast so that would be great.

Yeah I go back and forth on his destination at OLB or J Allen type DE in our system.