Dominance Series: Defensive Excellence

Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe Now | Message Boards

Over the week on BamaInsider.com, our staff will highlight the dominance of Alabama Football. Today, we continue the series with Defensive Excellence, a look at the Crimson Tide's best defenses under head coach Nick Saban.

One of the most constant features in any Alabama team under Nick Saban has been a stifling defense. Barring Saban’s first season as head coach in 2007, the Tide has finished in the top 10 in points allowed every year. Three of those seasons — 2016, 2012 and 2011 — Alabama featured the nation’s top defense. The 2011 and 2012 seasons resulted in national titles, while the Tide came seconds away from winning the championship last season.

Alabama’s defensive forte over the past 10 seasons has been stopping the run. The Tide has featured a top-5 rush defense in seven seasons under Saban, leading the nation in fewest rushing yards allowed in 2016, 2015, 2012 and 2011. If there has been a way to get to Alabama, it’s been through the air. The Tide has finished in the top 10 in pass defense just twice under Saban, coming in at No. 10 in 2009 and leading the nation with 111.5 passing yards allowed per game in 2011.

Alabama has also excelled at developing defenders for the next level with 35 defensive players selected in the NFL Draft under Saban. The Tide has distributed that talent across the field. Of that group, 14 draftees were members of the secondary, 11 were defensive lineman and 10 were linebackers.

Alabama has always had talent on defense, but what has allowed the Tide to remain on top is its ability to adapt. Due to the emergence of hurry-up, no-huddle attacks, Alabama has had to change its approach. In order to defend against spread offenses, the Tide has gone with a faster, leaner unit in recent years.

One of the best examples is former linebacker Reuben Foster who dropped 15 pounds this past season en route to winning the Butkus Award. Foster said the loss in weight didn’t affect his power, instead referring to his body as a Ferrari. The linebacker also gave credit to team nutritionist Amy Bragg, who several Tide players have praised for her role in helping them reach peak physical performance.

Another adaptation Alabama has undergone is an increase in blitz packages. In the earlier years of the Saban era, Alabama was known for developing a pass rush by solely using its defensive linemen. However, with the increase of passing in college football, the Tide has ramped up its blitzing packages in order to get after opposing quarterbacks in less time. The strategy appears to have worked, as Alabama has led the nation in sacks the past two seasons with 52 in 2015 and 54 last season.

Of course, coaching has also been a key advantage for Alabama on defense. In addition to Saban, the Tide has also had the aid of two of the top assistants in the game.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart served as Alabama’s defensive coordinator from 2007-15, earning the Broyles Award in 2009 and the American Football Coaches Association FBS Assistant Coach of the Year in 2012.

Returning for his second stint at Alabama last season, Jeremy Pruitt had similar success in his first year as the Tide’s defensive coordinator. On top of finishing first in sacks, the Tide also led the nation in scoring defense (13.0 ppg), rushing defense (63.9 ypg) and defensive touchdowns with 11.

Alabama will have its hands full trying to replace seven starters on defense from last year’s team. The Tide will lose Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson from its defensive line, Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson and Foster at linebacker and Marlon Humphrey and Eddie Jackson in the secondary. Every one of those players was taken in this season’s NFL Draft.

Jackson’s season-ending injury in October led to defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick taking his role at safety. Meanwhile, linebacker Rashaan Evans started the final two games last season in the absence of injured Shaun Dion Hamilton. That added experience should play a vital role early as the Tide looks to break in a new defensive unit this season.

While Alabama’s losses will be difficult to overcome, the Tide’s loaded roster allows it to restock many of the holes with former five-star talent. That’s the case up front where Da’Shawn Hand, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2014 class, and Isaiah Buggs, the No. 1 JUCO player in the 2017 class, are slotted to step up as starters. At linebacker, Hamilton and Evans should man the middle while former four-stars Christian Miller and Anfernee Jennings rotate in and out with former five-star Terrell Hall at the outside positions. The secondary should look the same as it did toward the end of the season with the exception of transverted wide receiver Trevon Diggs filling in for Humphrey at corner. Seniors Anthony Averett and Tony Brown should man the cornerback and Star positions respectively, while juniors Ronnie Harrison and Fitzpatrick play safety.

Alabama might have to work out some kinks early, especially in the secondary where it struggled this spring. However, with the talent the Tide has, there’s no reason Alabama shouldn’t produce another top defense this year.

Comment Inside The Talk Of Champions Message Board Here