Alabama Crimson Tide College Football Preview 2021: Defense
– The personnel losses aren’t nearly as massive as they are on the offensive side, but there are just enough to be annoying. However, the Tide D is about to be phenomenal after allowing just 352 yards and 19 points per game. Everything’s going to start with …
– The linebackers. Heart-and-soul leading tackler Dylan Moses is done, but the foursome is loaded around second-leading tackler and future NFL starter Christian Harris.
He’s a next-level prototype at one of the inside spots, Christopher Allen is a 6-4, 252-pound hybrid pass rusher on the outside, and Will Anderson is coming off a 52-tackle, seven-sack, 10.5 tackle for loss first year. Throw in Tennessee transfer Henry To’o To’o along with several other huge recruits who waited their turn, and the Tide have an almost unfairly good group.
– Christian Barmore is gone from the defensive interior, but just about everyone else is back. DJ Dale is a reliable veteran on the nose, LaBryan Ray is a reliable veteran at one end, and Phidarian Mathis is a 312-pound reliable veteran whenever he lines up. 320-pound sophomore Tim Smith got in enough work to potentially be a huge factor in the rotation on one end – maybe over Mathis.
– The secondary is fantastic even without Patrick Surtain. The other four starters are back around 44-tackle, three-pick safety Malachi Moore coming off an all-star season.
Josh Jobe is a big-time corner, Jordan Battle was third on the team with 55 tackles, DeMarcco Hellams was fourth with 62 stops, Daniel Wright was fifth with 60 tackles, and there’s a whole lot more talent ready to make a push.
– What You Need To Know: Offense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Alabama Football Schedule Analysis