He developed into a starter in what became Nick Saban’s final season coaching Alabama in 2023.
Tim Kennan III, a former four-star from Birmingham (Ala.), came to the Crimson Tide in its 2021 recruiting class as a powerful interior defensive lineman from Ramsay High School.
He redshirted his freshman season and played two games in 2022, but Kennan became impactful up front last year. Kennan arrived on campus at 340 pounds, but the 6-foot-2 specimen went through an impressive transformation. He dropped to 315 pounds, making him quicker in pressuring quarterbacks and stopping running backs.
Kennan earned the starting job at nose tackle in 2023, pushing Jehiem (formerly Jaheim) Oatis to defensive end.
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He totaled 38 tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a sack. Kennan also had seven quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.
He stood out in Alabama’s matchup against Texas A&M, leading the team with eight tackles and earning Defensive Player of the Week honors from the Tide’s coaching staff.
Kennan could have pursued the NCAA transfer portal or declared for the NFL Draft after Saban announced his retirement in January, but the 2023 SEC Champion chose to come back for a fourth season in Tuscaloosa. He loves Alabama football, but he is also in for a monster season.
Kennan continues to train with Coach Swift, founder of Winning Edge Training in Birmingham.
Winning Edge is the No. 1 offensive lineman/defensive lineman training facility in the state of Alabama. Swift has Kennan in detail work over spring break, but he assures that he’s in for a big year.
Spring Break Detail Work w/ @AlabamaFTBL Starting DT Tim Keenan III‼️ Trust & Believe the Next Season will be crazy!! #WEdifferent pic.twitter.com/P1KnpsXBYv
— Coach T. Swift (@coachswift64) March 15, 2024
Freddie Roach, Alabama’s defensive line coach, said last week that it’s huge to have Kennan back.
He is about to use spring to launch himself into create a valuable stock for the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
