During his press conference on Wednesday, Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced that the team’s leadership group would be adding senior defensive lineman DJ Dale. Dale now joins quarterback Bryce Young, safety Jordan Battle and linebackers Will Anderson and Henry To’oTo’o.
Dale, who arrived in Tuscaloosa back in 2019, has made it a point in his final season with the Crimson Tide to become more vocal on the team which is something new to the Birmingham, AL, native.
“The biggest difference this year is just being more outspoken,” Dale said. “I feel like for me, I’ve always done the right things on and off the field. I’ve been consistent with who I am as a person. But just being more outspoken and just reaching out to different guys that’s not just in my group. I’ve kind of always had that impact on my group, but I’m just trying to touch other guys in different positions and knowing all the sides of the ball.”
Since he began his journey back in 2019, Dale has started in every game he’s been available. This past season, Dale recorded 18 total tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks at nosetackle for the Crimson Tide.
Despite being more soft-spoken, Dale’s progression into becoming more vocal hasn’t been forced but rather a progression that’s been learned from other Alabama defensive linemen from the past.
“I think it just happened naturally,” Dale said. “I’ve been in a room where I’ve had different leaders. For example, my first year, Raekwon (Davis) was kind of the guy, and then for the past couple of years, Phil Mathis has been the guy. And I’ve just tried to take different things from them, and they’ve kind of helped groom me into being a more outspoken leader.”
Dale’s integration into the leadership council was also endorsed by To’oTo’o who also spoke with the media on Friday.
“DJ’s always been a great leader,” To’oTo’o said. “He’s a set an example kind of guy. He’s gonna go out and work his tail off every single day, give his best effort. He’s gonna be big for that D-line group. He’s being for the whole defense. He’s an older guy. Everybody looks up to him. He’ll do a really great job.”
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
