Alabama fans witnessed several disruptive outside linebackers in the Nick Saban era.
Some names that come to mind include Eryk Anders, Xzavier Dickson, Adrian Hubbard, Dillon Lee, Ryan Anderson, Tim Williams, Terrell Lewis, Anfernee Jennings, Will Anderson Jr., and Chris Braswell that helped the University of Alabama win national championships. Dallas Turner, a former five-star, became an All-American and a permanent team captain in 2023.
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He assisted the Crimson Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship last season.
Alabama is moving from a 3-4 nickel defensive alignment to a 4-2-5 “Swarm Defense” under Kane Wommack. Wommack, a former head coach at South Alabama, has marquee plans for outside linebackers as Alabama’s new defensive coordinator.
He inherits a roster full of talent at the position, including veterans such as Quandarrius Robinson and Keanu Koht.
Robinson, a Birmingham (Ala.) native, came in the Tide’s 2020 class as a five-star.
Koht, a native Floridian, arrived as an explosive four-star edge rusher from Florida. Wommack explained after practice on Wednesday about how he likes both, but he also highlighted two young names that fans need to watch.
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“I see a number of guys that are starting to flash right now,” Wommack said. “You can point to a guy like Q. Robinson who has been here a long time, has done some good things, and I think he’s continued to settle into what we are doing defensively. I think Keanu Koht has a real burst. I think he has done some special things in pass rush. I have been really pleased with Qua Russaw over the last couple of days, and to me, Yhonzae Pierre has a very special skill set. I am pleased with each one of those guys, especially when it comes to their pass rush abilities. I think we are in the right direction there.”
Robinson and Koht are guys you would expect Wommack to discuss, but the growth of Russaw and Pierre as pass rushers is encouraging. Wommack wants the best players on the field to make the defense as elite as he can get it.
Russaw and Pierre were impressive five stars at their respective high schools before coming to Alabama.
We will see soon enough who the best edge rusher is out of this group.
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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.
