In honor of true freshmen DJ Dale, Shane Lee and Christian Harris all starting defensively for Alabama versus Duke on Saturday, we here at Touchdown Alabama Magazine are going to discuss some of the most impactful freshmen on defense in the Nick Saban era.
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Hopefully, the three names listed above provide a significant contribution this week and grow into being marquee names to help the Crimson Tide win a national championship.
Rolando McClain, LB – 2007
He has been reinstated back into the National Football League, but prior to his off-field issues in the pros, Rolando McClain was a superstar at Alabama. According to former teammate and UFC fighter, Eryk Anders, McClain’s intelligence was second to none in terms of grasping plays and formations quickly.
A native of Decatur, Ala., McClain captain the Crimson Tide’s defense as a true freshman in 2007 and finished the season with 74 total tackles, five tackles for loss and two interceptions.
Although Saban’s first season ended at 7-6, McClain’s efforts would lead to Alabama capturing a BCS National Championship in 2009.
Kareem Jackson, DB – 2007
Like McClain, Kareem Jackson had a major impact on the Tide’s 2007 team from his cornerback position.
Hailing from Macon, Ga., Jackson finished fifth on the team in tackles (66) and posted four stops for loss with and was second in interceptions (three). His performance led to him being named a Freshman All-American and two years later, he would account for 13 pass breakups with one interception in helping the team to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a national title.
Denzel Devall, LB – 2012
Despite being on a team with Ha’Sean “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix, Robert Lester, C.J. Mosley and Jesse Williams, Denzel Devall made his mark as a freshman in 2012. The Louisiana native collected 18 tackles that year — including three for loss and two sacks. Devall was effective at pressuring quarterbacks (three hurries) and was instrumental in Alabama’s BCS national title run in 2012, following its championship in the 2011 season.
A’Shawn Robinson, DL – 2013
A lot of people don’t typically a 300+ pound defensive lineman to explode as a freshman, but try telling that to A’Shawn Robinson in 2013.
The native Texan was a highly-touted athlete in the 2013 class and while Derrick Henry would represent the class as a Heisman Trophy winner, Robinson had the better freshman campaign.
He was among the leaders in tackles (38, seventh), while tallying eight tackles for loss and a team-high 5.5 sacks. Regardless of the Tide not winning a championship in Robinson’s freshman year, he would be a staple on a defensive line that had 52 sacks in the 2015 season — the one in which Alabama hoisted the CFP trophy.
Da’Ron Payne, DL – 2015
As great as Quinnen Williams was last season (and he was), he needs to thank Da’Ron Payne for setting the path for him. Payne, a native of Birmingham, Ala., was a five-star recruit in 2015 and at 320 pounds, he made it extremely difficult for offenses to run the football.
He was highly active as a true freshman, collecting 13 tackles, collapsing the pocket on quarterbacks and commanding a double-team on every play.
After helping Alabama win a national title, Payne would record a defensive touchdown in each of the next two seasons. He totaled eight quarterback hurries, three pass breakups and a touchdown catch in 2017.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB – 2015
He was recruited to play cornerback in 2015 out of New Jersey; however, Minkah Fitzpatrick’s intelligence prompted Saban to give him a harder role. He did not enroll early that year, but his impact through summer workouts and fall camp was felt.
Fitzpatrick earned the starting job at star — beating out Tony Brown — and the national media witnessed his skill set versus Texas A&M. Fitzpatrick returned two interceptions for touchdowns and ended the season with 45 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and 11 breakups.
His composure as a freshman would bleed into his sophomore campaign, where he turned in a team-high six interceptions (two returned for scores). By his senior year in 2017, Fitzpatrick was the unquestioned leader on defense from his safety spot and guided the Tide to a 26-23 overtime win over Georgia for a national title.
Marlon Humphrey, CB – 2015
He was a redshirt freshman in 2015, but Marlon Humphrey was still dominant.
A native of Hoover, Ala., the five-star (at the time) won the second corner spot — opposite Cyrus Jones — and posted 45 tackles on the year.
Humphrey was also credited with 3.5 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and three interceptions. His best moments came against both Georgia and Clemson. While he notched a pick versus the Bulldogs, Humphrey was the one that recovered the onside kick of Adam Griffith in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship against the Tigers.
He celebrated with his flying in the air and Alabama won the first meeting between it and Clemson, 45-40 inside University of Phoenix (Ariz.) Stadium.
Ronnie Harrison, DB – 2015
Humphrey and Fitzpatrick took more of the credit, but Ronnie Harrison was also part of the 2015 recruiting class.
Hailing from Tallahassee, Fla., Saban took a chance on him when Jimbo Fisher did not.
Harrison had six pass breakups that season — including one in the end zone versus Clemson in the 2016 national title game.
The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder also had two interceptions, with one occurring against Georgia in the 38-10 washout of the Bulldogs. Many fans and analysts of college football consider the 2016 version of the Crimson Tide’s defense to be Saban’s best group. Harrison was an integral part with two interceptions, one fumble recovery, seven breakups and three defensive touchdowns.
Dylan Moses, LB – 2017
Even with Alabama gets wreaked by injuries at one position, it still finds a way to win.
Dylan Moses became its way out in 2017, as players such as Christian Miller, Terrell Lewis, Anfernee Jennings, Rashaan Evans and Mack Wilson all sustained injuries.
A native of Baton Rouge, La., Moses earned a starting role at inside linebacker and gave Saban everything he had.
He collected 30 tackles — including 5.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Moses snagged his first career interception against Mercer and was named the Southeastern Conference’s All-Freshman Team for his efforts.
His ability to step in and make plays assisted the Tide to a national title.
Patrick Surtain II, CB – 2018
He is now established at both corner and star (nickel), but Patrick Surtain II was strong at right corner last year as a true freshman. He locked down some of the most elite athletes at wide receiver, totaling seven pass breakups with one interception.
Despite the struggles against Oklahoma and Clemson, Surtain was pivotal in Alabama capturing a SEC Championship and getting back to the CFP for a fifth consecutive time since 2014.
He looks to improve upon those efforts this year.
Honorable Mentions
Eddie Jackson, DB – 2013
Rashaan Evans, LB – 2014
Da’Shawn Hand, DL – 2014
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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.
