Alabama spring grade out: Defensive line
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Spring Grade Out Series
*Alabama spring grade out: Quarterback
*Alabama spring grade out: Running back
Defensive Line
Alabama finished its spring camp last month revealing an early preview of what to expect in the coming season. We will break down each position, sharing what we saw and what to expect for this year. Today we continue our spring evaluations with the defensive line position.
Biggest thing we learned: Alabama remains loaded up front
Alabama defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand could hardly contain his enthusiasm when asked about finally getting to step into a starting position this fall. Before answering how hungry he was for the opportunity, Hand let out a loud sigh of excitement before proceeding with his response.
“To be honest, man, I don’t even know how to answer that question,” Hand said. “That’s how hungry I am. It’s immeasurable, for real. We’re all very hungry.”
Hand, the No. 1 recruit in the 2014 class, has had to settle for a supplementary role in the Tide’s defense the past three season, working behind now NFL talents Jonathan Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson, Jarran Reed and A’Shawn Robinson. This spring, the 6-foot-4, 282 pounder played like a man itching for his time to shine.
Of course, with both Allen and Tomlinson missing from last season, Hand’s emergence will fill only one of the vacancies left behind on the defensive line. The other starting spot should go to either JUCO transfer Isaiah Buggs or sophomore Raekwon Davis.
Buggs, the No. 1 JUCO player in the 2017 class, earned a starting spot on the first-team defense during the A-Day scrimmage. The 6-foot-5, 292-pounder was the first early enrollee to arrive on campus during the winter and has showed a steady improvement throughout camp.
“He's a good player. He's continued to grow as he's been in this program,” Alabama center Bradley Bozeman said. “As the season comes around, I think he'll be really ready.”
Davis was one of the stars of A-Day, leading the Crimson team with seven tackles and a sack. The 6-foot-7, 303-pound sophomore appears to have slimmed down this season and could play at either the end of the tackle position.
While the verdict is still out on who will man the remaining outside position, Alabama can rest easily knowing it is set up the middle. Da’Ron Payne returns for his junior season and will now be looked at as the Tide’s leader up front.
“It’s something new, because being from where I came from, I just like to sit back and listen and just learn,” Payne said. “But now guys are coming to me asking me for advice and stuff. It’s something like a learning curve.”
Biggest spring concern: Will new defensive line remain disciplined?
If Alabama head coach Nick Saban had one concern about his defensive line this spring it was the patience of some of the Tide’s newer pass-rushers. While the line’s hunger to prove itself can be harnessed as a positive, players must be careful not to lose track of their assignment in their pursuit of the quarterback.
“I think the big thing we have to work on is pass rush, pass rush lanes, quarterback scrambling, quarterback running,” Saban said earlier this spring. “Everybody is worried about getting the sack. They need to worry about forcing the quarterback, pushing the pocket in the middle so he can't step up and throw the ball, can't extend plays which means that coverage breaks down in the back and we make big plays."
Alabama’s defense seemed to handle its pass rush pretty well during A-Day, getting to quarterbacks a combined 12 times between both teams.
Biggest spring surprise: Davis and Jamar King both have productive springs
Davis wasn't the only defensive lineman to breakout this spring. The sophomore was joined by senior Jamar King, who tallied five tackles and a sack during A-Day. Both players are coming into their second seasons with the Tide, as King transferred from Mendocino Community College last season.
“I think Both guys have made a lot of progress in the course of last year in terms of the improvement that they made," Saban said. "I think they both had really good off seasons. They both, I think so far this spring, they have shown some of that improvement and I think the biggest thing with them would be consistency. We feel like both guys can do it."
Both players should provide depth for Alabama, which regularly cycles in several defensive linemen throughout games.
Looking ahead: More help is on the way
Speaking of adding depth to the position, Alabama will also welcome in two four-star defensive linemen at the end of the month. Defensive end LaBryan Ray, the No. 1 rated player in the state of Alabama, and defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis are both players who could have an impact early in their college careers.
Ray, 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, is rated was rated as the No. 2 strong-side defensive end and No. 45 player overall in the 2017 class. Mathis, 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, was the No. 10 defensive tackle and No. 151 player overall.