Much excitement is buzzing around the University of Alabama as this spring is projected to be the most highly-anticipating one since 2009, the program’s first national championship season under Nick Saban at head coach.
While most eyes will focus on the quarterback competition and which combination of players should make up the secondary, locating a defensive tackle to replace Da’Ron Payne will be in high demand. Hailing from Birmingham, Ala., Payne was awarded first-team All-SEC honors after totaling 53 tackles, eight quarterback hurries, one interception and one touchdown reception in 2017.
A five-star in the Crimson Tide’s 2015 class, the 308-pounder was an exceptional two-gap defender against the run while being able to pressure quarterbacks too.
His interception and touchdown both came in a College Football Playoff semifinal matchup, helping Alabama earn a 24-6 win over Clemson. Payne’s career was filled with marquee plays, seeing how he leaves with 102 tackles, five for loss, three sacks and 12 quarterback hurries.
He enters the NFL Draft with a grade of 6.5 — “good NFL starter with Pro Bowl potential” — however, Tide fans will miss his presence on defense. With the depth it has at defensive end, there are four names the coaching staff should look at in terms of finding Payne’s replacement.
Johnny Dwight, RS Senior
He worked at both tight end and on the defensive line earlier in his career, but Dwight is settled at defensive tackle.
He saw action in six games last season, recording nine tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and one quarterback hurry. Dwight possesses ideal size at 6-foot-3 and 301 pounds and has no issues with stopping the run. Pressuring from the inside will be his test.
Phidarian Mathis, RS Freshman
Alabama is high on Mathis for next season.
Per multiple sources, the elite four-star talent was ‘cracking heads’ throughout practices last season as a redshirt. He’s been putting in a lot of work in the team’s offseason program and weighing in at 6-4/308 pounds, Mathis could carry the same force that Payne brought in.
He was listed at No. 37 overall in the ESPN 300 rankings and totaled 41 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, seven sacks and six quarterback hurries in his senior year (2016) at Neville High School in Monroe, La. Mathis helped the program get to three Louisiana Class 4A state championship games, but now he wants to be a vital part of aiding the Crimson Tide to a CFP national title.
Stephon Wynn, Freshman
He was a huge piece in this year’s class and may provide a significant impact.
Stephon Wynn, a four-star defensive lineman from South Carolina, played two seasons at T.L. Hanna High School, before transferring to IMG Academy for his senior year. He amassed 150 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks at T.L. Hanna, while adding 18 more stops at IMG.
Listed at 6’4″ and 308 pounds, Wynn was signed as a strong-side defensive end but could very well play at defensive tackle. He was one of four early enrollees and is having success in Alabama’s fourth quarter program. Media pundits are excited to watch him on A-Day.
Christian Barmore, Freshman
Barmore has yet to arrive on campus, but he’ll provide stiff competition.
A four-star from Pennsylvania, Barmore was signed at defensive tackle and has exceptional footwork at 290 pounds. He could also serve at on the edge (if needed), but an interior role fits better with Raekwon Davis, Isaiah Buggs, Quinnen Williams and LaBryan Ray all returning.
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 @CoachingMSmith.
