He told returning senior Raekwon Davis that he will be better than former Alabama standout, Da’Ron Payne in spring practice, and true freshman DJ Dale is sticking to it.
As one of six defensive linemen signed in this year’s recruiting class, the four-star via Touchdown Alabama Magazine has dropped 22 pounds and is conditioning his body to become an “every down player” for the season.
Leonard Stephens “Coach L” is the man behind the Step-By-Step Sports Performance Training in Birmingham, Ala.
Since the spring semester, Dale has been working with him twice a week to get prepared for what’s expected to be an exciting year. Along with improving from 330 to 308 pounds, Stephens told yours truly that he wants Dale conditioned for every snap and execute as much as possible.
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“During this offseason, we have been working for at least two hours at a time,” Stephens said on training Dale. “My goal has been to strengthen his takeoff speed, lateral quickness, effective hand technique and the biggest think, his motor.”
The training for the product from Clay-Chalkville High School (Pinson, Ala.) has consisted of power, agility and change of direction drills.
He has also been pulling tires, throwing medicine balls and just anything needed to get himself in the best possible shape. The weight started falling off in the first week of May – according to Stephens – and while he was a nightmare for offensive linemen all spring, Tide fans want to see disrupt opposing quarterbacks in the fall.
Only the people who understand the true value of Life, understand the value of a village! @AlabamaFTBL ? Defensive Tackle @ddale44 definitely has a strong village & it shows through his talent on the field & off‼️#GrindSeason #BuiltByBama pic.twitter.com/wCgTbelzit
— Step By Step Sports Training LLC (@_Coach_L) May 7, 2019
Dale is definitely one to have all eyes on.
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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.
