Former Alabama players Eric Curry and John Copeland needed one season to put their stamp on college football. Their motto, “I’ll meet you at the quarterback,” took on full effect in 1992. Curry and Copeland were important contributors on one of the best defenses in Alabama history.
The Crimson Tide led the nation in four of five major categories. It allowed 9.08 points, 194.2 total yards, 55.0 rushing yards and 139.2 passing yards per game. Copeland and Curry appeared in 12 games, totaling 21 sacks (each with 10.5) and 49 quarterback hurries (Curry 27, Copeland 22). Both players finished the 1992 season as consensus All-Americans. They guided Alabama to a Southeastern Conference title and a national championship.
Defensive linemen A’Shawn Robinson and Jonathan Allen both return as juniors in 2015. Curry and Copeland didn’t join forces until 1991, but Robinson and Allen have anchored Alabama’s defensive line since 2013 (freshmen).
Robinson managed to finish strong in 2014, despite a slow start. He saw action in 14 games, accounting for 49 tackles with 6.5 for loss, three pass breakups, four quarterback hurries and a blocked kick. Allen finished 11th on the team in tackles (33), but his 11.5 stops for loss were second to Xzavier Dickson. Allen’s 5.5 sacks last season were good for second on the team.
Robinson and Allen led a solid run defense, prior to Alabama’s meeting with Ohio State. The Crimson allowed 88.6 rushing yards per game with three scores. Alabama’s defensive line will be stacked next season. It increased its sack total by 10 in 2014 (32), and looks for more improvement. Jarran Reed’s return is huge, but 2015 is a NFL Draft stock year for Robinson and Allen. Both men have an opportunity to captain what’s projected to be a solid front seven. It took Curry and Copeland one season, could Robinson and Allen be the new “Bookends” in 2015?
