When Alabama graduated A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed and Reggie Ragland to the National Football League after the 2015 season, college football analysts felt like the Crimson Tide’s defense would take a step back.
However, all it did was return Jonathan Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson, Tim Williams, Reuben Foster and Ryan Anderson and dominated both the Southeastern Conference and national landscape – despite falling to Clemson in the title game.
Going into his second year at defensive coordinator, Jeremy Pruitt wants to finish the job and secure a national championship: something of which he has not won since 2013.
Praises have been sung all summer about Florida State’s defense, but the Tide returns both experience and young talent – headlined by junior defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.
In one of the more epic prime time matchups this week, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine dives into five defensive players that will have the most impact versus the Seminoles.
JK Scott
He’s a specialist by position, but when JK Scott takes the field it’s usually to pin opponents inside the 20-yard line and force them to drive the ball against Alabama’s defense. The senior from Denver, Colo., averaged 47.2 yards a punt in 2016, including 29 boots that went for 50 yards.
Special teams will be a priority between Alabama and Florida State, especially with both teams feeling each other out in the first quarter. Scott’s ability to flip the field and set the Seminoles in rough situations can allow for the Tide’s front seven to affect quarterback Deondre Francois.
Trevon Diggs
He will not draw the same assignment that former Alabama cornerback Cyrus Jones did in facing Texas A&M’s receiver Mike Evans in 2013, but Florida State will challenge sophomore Trevon Diggs with either Nyqwan Murray or Auden Tate.
Diggs lined up at both receiver and cornerback in high school, while juggling receiver and return specialist during his freshman season in Tuscaloosa.
His speed and ball skills are sound, but Diggs’ height (6’2″) could play a major role in forcing Francois to complete a perfect pass.
Da’Ron Payne
He’s the strongest guy on the team and for a third straight season, Da’Ron Payne is tasked with blowing plays up and allowing teammates to converge and make tackles.
Georgia had issues neutralizing his athleticism two years ago, and last season he recorded 36 tackles – including 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. With rotating two redshirt freshmen on the offensive line, it’s imperative for Florida State to give Francois time to release the football.
Teams do not have a lot of success running on Alabama’s defensive front, due to Payne giving the interior linemen (centers, guards) problems.
No matter how elite of a talent Cam Akers is at running back, if the Seminoles can’t move the Tide off the ball – it plays into Alabama’s hand.
Shaun Dion Hamilton
Since the knee injury against Florida in the SEC title game, Shaun Dion Hamilton has returned faster and stronger than ever according to him. He was having a stellar junior campaign before the mishap, totaling 64 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks and a pair of interceptions.
Hamilton emerges as the next leader at inside linebacker, following a lineage that includes Rolando McClain, Dont’a Hightower, C.J. Mosley, Reggie Ragland and Reuben Foster.
His lateral quickness is intact, and he anticipates getting after Francois constantly.
Even in sharing responsibilities with Rashaan Evans, the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff and players are high on Hamilton. The Montgomery (Ala.) native and former four-star recruit looks to be a first team All-American selection by season’s end, despite not being a preseason nod.
Ronnie Harrison
Ronnie Harrison is from Tallahassee, Fla.
As much as one would rather have Minkah Fitzpatrick in this spot, Harrison has had this game marked for a long time. An enforcer at free safety, the four-star is prepared to hit anything that moves as well as generate turnovers.
He can come down in the box for run support against Cam Akers, or drill weapons like Nyqwan Murray and Auden Tate on crossing route in the middle.
He finished second on the team in tackles (85) last season and amassed seven pass breakups with two interceptions. Most would categorize Francois as a dual-threat quarterback; however, he rarely pulls the ball down to run. He likes for his feet to set up his throwing motion, but look for Harrison and the Tide’s defensive backfield to provide no window for him to throw the ball.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
