As a four-year guy and two-year starter, defensive end Jonathan Allen was a quiet storm.
Numerous sacks and tackles for loss compensated his lack of talking, except in moments when he felt like flashing a smile, cracking a laugh or shooting the breeze with media pundits. The savvy technician was a leader on Alabama’s defensive line for two seasons, posting 22.5 sacks, 30.5 tackles for loss and 21 quarterbacks hurries in 2015 and 2016. His play in one-on-one matchups led the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff national title in 2015, as he had 14.5 tackles for loss – including 10.5 sacks and six quarterback pressures.
His senior year could not have gone any better in 2016, especially with Allen winning Southeastern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Ted Hendricks Trophy and be one of three unanimous All-Americans. A native of Leesburg, Va., Allen now anticipates hearing his name called in Philadelphia during the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday. With his departure, a redshirt freshman has been thrown into the mix of being his successor – heading into the 2017 season.
Before he started his training for the NFL Combine, Allen told AL.com that the name to watch for at Alabama next season is four-star prospect, Quinnen Williams.
“That’s the guy you need to know,” Allen said. “He’s going to be a beast.”
To support his claim, Williams carries a solid frame at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds.
Hailing from Birmingham, Ala., he signed in the Tide’s 2016 recruiting class. While redshirting his freshman year, he worked hard in practice and managed to garner the attention of teammates and defensive line coach, Karl Dunbar. Along with junior college transfer Isaiah Buggs, Williams jumped off the page during the Tide’s annual spring game last week. He accounted for four total tackles, including two for loss and two sacks.
Throughout his career, Allen turned in 28.5 sacks and 44.5 tackles for loss. He anchored a fierce group a season ago that allowed 13 points, 64 rush yards and 262 total yards through 15 games.
Williams has the potential to be the next great defensive end/edge rusher at the Capstone, but we’ll see in summer workouts and fall camp if he can continue to grow and improve.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
