Alabama’s defensive line has been flooded with both talent and consistent production under head football coach, Nick Saban. When players like Quinton Dial, Terrence Cody and Jesse Williams among others took the field, opposition knew what to expect.
And while those where junior college transfers, the Crimson Tide groomed A’Shawn Robinson, Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson to be unstoppable forces.
With each of the four national championships it has won, Alabama could always reflect on the recruiting class that helped guide the program to success.
During the 2015 season, it was a combination of offensive and defensive guys from the 2013 class that led the team to greatness.
While running back Derrick Henry and tight end O.J. Howard took command on offense, Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster, Tim Williams and Eddie Jackson had the defense in order.
Even if one was to look back at last season, the imprint of the 2013 class on defense was critical in making sure everyone was on the same page.
Upon the exit of those players, Da’Ron Payne and Da’Shawn Hand were given the reins to control a young but capable defensive line.
Payne has held up his end of the bargain, to say the least.
Regardless of the constant double teams he attracts, the Birmingham native shares a tie for third place in total tackles with 15. Hand, a five-star recruit in the 2014 class, has recorded just five tackles through three games.
He brings a lot of football experience, and despite playing behind some marquee names early in his career, much production is expected from the Virginia native.
The 6-foot-4, 288-pounder has had a difficult time affecting quarterbacks, and his shared tackle for loss shows the essence of an inability to not make plays in the backfield.
As much as it needs production from Rashaan Evans (back from injury) and Tony Brown, Hand is a critical member of this senior class for Alabama that needs to starting getting the job done.
Both Levi Wallace and Hootie Jones are starting to leave an imprint on the secondary, and even defensive linemen Joshua Frazier and Johnny Dwight are holding their own up front.
He was larger than life when he signed, but now Hand needs to show up.
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.
