5 Alabama players on the rise — defense
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Seven of Alabama’s starters on defense last season will be playing on Sunday’s this year. Defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson, linebackers Reuben Foster, Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams and defensive backs Marlon Humphrey and Eddie Jackson were all taken in the NFL Draft and will be missed by the Crimson Tide in the fall. However, Alabama has plenty of promising players returning next season to fill those open roles. (Scroll down to continue reading)
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Here are a few of the rising stars on defense from Alabama’s spring camp:
Mack Wilson, inside linebacker
Despite serving in somewhat of a limited role as a freshman, Mack Wilson still found his way into plenty of highlight films last season. Playing primarily on special teams, the former five-star linebacker provided the hit of the season when he de-cleated Texas A&M receiver Speedy Noil on a kick return last year. The hit drew comparisons to the one Foster landed on LSU running back Leonard Fournette during a kickoff return in 2014.
Wilson even contributed on the offensive side of the ball, lining up as the H-back out of the goal-line formation, where he caught a 1-yard touchdown pass against Kent State.
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This spring, Wilson took advantage of added reps due to an injury to starting linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton. The injury to Hamilton allowed Wilson to work with the second-team unit alongside early enrollee Dylan Moses. Wilson started for the Crimson team during Alabama’s A-Day game, recording five tackles with one for a loss.
Hamilton (ACL) is expected to be back on the field by this summer and should be 100 percent for the Tide’s opener against Florida State on Sept. 2. While Wilson might have a difficult time breaking into the starting lineup this season, he projects to be more of a factor on defense during his sophomore season.
Dylan Moses, inside linebacker
Speaking of young, talented inside linebackers, Moses made the most of his early enrollment this spring, climbing his way up Alabama’s “rep chart.” The former five-star recruit came to Alabama in January as the No. 32 player overall in this year’s class.
It didn’t take long for Moses to stand out during spring camp, either. Listed at 6-foot-3, 234 pounds, the true freshman already has the body of an established SEC veteran.
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“First impression is he is an athletic guy,” Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans said. “That is obvious. All it’s really going to take is him improving as a player, and once he does that, the sky’s the limit.”
Though still raw at times during practice, Moses used his athleticism to make waves during the spring, eventually earning a spot on the second-team defense. Starting alongside Wilson on the Crimson defense during A-Day, he recorded four tackles, including three solo stops.
Raekwon Davis, defensive lineman
The proposition of 6-foot-7, 303-pound Raekwon Davis coming off the edge is enough to keep even the bravest of quarterbacks up at night. Unfortunately for SEC passers, that possibility might become more of a reality next season as Davis fights for extended playing time in the Tide’s defense.
Starting for the Crimson team during A-Day, Davis proved to be one of the scrimmage’s standout performers, tallying a team-high seven tackles, including a sack. This spring the rising sophomore has worked with Alabama’s starting defensive line unit during media viewing periods. Although, he has worked primarily with the second unit behind JUCO transfer Isaiah Buggs during scrimmages.
Whether or not Davis earns a starting role next season, he should factor into the Tide’s rotation, adding depth to the unit.
“With the entire D-line unit, it’s just cool because there’s a lot of young guys stepping up,” Alabama defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand said. “I think we still have two more (defensive linemen) coming in this summer. As a unit, we just always want to be dominant.”
Trevon Diggs, cornerback
It was an up-and-down A-Day for Trevon Diggs, who was beaten on few long passes but tallied two pass deflections and an interception. While the rising sophomore intercepted Jalen Hurts in the back of the end zone during the first quarter, the starting quarterback quickly enacted his revenge. The following possession, Hurts beat Diggs over the top on a 65-yard touchdown pass to Robert Foster.
“We all get beat,” Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said. “Every DB gets beat but it’s not about how you got beat. You just have to learn from it. We’re going to watch the film, go over the film with him, talk to him when I get back and make sure he’s in the right frame of mind. He’s got to learn from it and bounce back.”
Diggs was hardly the only defensive back at fault during the scrimmage. Alabama’s secondary allowed a combined 661 yards and five touchdowns through the air, something Alabama head coach Nick Saban said needed to change headed forward.
Despite his roller-coaster outing on A-Day, Diggs completed a solid spring camp for the Tide. After serving primarily as a wide receiver last season, Saban decided to “experiment” by moving him to cornerback this spring. By most accounts, the switch has been a success. While Diggs still has plenty to improve on heading into the summer, his performance this spring should make him a favorite for the starting spot heading into the fall.
Christian Miller, outside linebacker
While Christian Miller isn’t one of the younger players on this season’s roster, he has yet to make much impact for the Tide. Buried behind a wealth of linebackers during his college career, the redshirt junior is projected to have a breakout season.
Miller did nothing to damage that projection during A-Day, recording four tackles, including two sacks and a forced fumble. Miller started at Sam linebacker on the first-team defense this spring. Coming into the program at a lanky 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Miller has bulked up to 240 pounds in order to generate more power and help out against the rush.
“I honestly probably feel more explosive, too,” Miller said. “The weight hasn’t affected me at all. I’m probably faster as well. I feel good.”
Following A-Day, Miller underwent sports hernia surgery. However, he is expected to be back to 100 percent before the start of fall camp.