Alabama football signed four talented edge rushers in its 2020 recruiting class.
One has become a superstar in college football (Will Anderson Jr.), one transferred to a different school (Drew Sanders), one is still pushing for an opportunity (Quandarrius Robinson), and one is ready to break out this season.
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Chris Braswell, a Maryland native, arrived as a five-star like Anderson, Sanders, and Robinson.
Justin Smith, the lead scouting/recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine graded Braswell with one diamond, meaning he had the skill set to be ‘an immediate contributor and game changer.’ It has taken him some time to learn the system and get stronger, but the St. Frances Academy alum is prepared to be the third violent pass rusher at outside linebacker.
Coach Nick Saban highlighted marquee qualities Braswell brings to the position.
“Bras is a good player,” Saban said. “He is a good rusher. He has great first-step quickness, can turn speed to power, and has a much better understanding of what he’s supposed to do on defense. It takes guys time who have their hand in the dirt all the time in high school and we try to teach them how to play standing up, which is a good fit for a lot of guys. They are not big enough to be defensive ends, especially at the next level, so if they can play outside backer and rush on third down, it creates tremendous value when they learn to play standing up. He has learned that and has improved at the pass coverage of it, but he is a great rusher. He has great first-step quickness. You can be quick and fast, but if you can’t turn speed to power you are never going to be an effective rusher. He can do that really well. I think we have three guys there that are good players at outside backer.”
Braswell is in the conversation with Anderson and Dallas Turner.
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Alabama is looking to unveil a pressure package with Anderson, Turner, and Braswell on the field together. Anderson told reporters ‘it will be lethal’ when everyone sees the package. Pete Golding, the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator, wants to come after quarterbacks on third down. He plans on getting his best rushers on the field, and Braswell is one of them.
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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.
