Alabama football is expected to be better in many areas this fall under Kalen DeBoer, but could we also see a decline in some areas?
This is a tough question to answer because there were not a lot of things the Crimson Tide excelled at in 2023.
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Tide fans, in most years, could pinpoint multiple things Alabama did better than anyone else in the nation. The 2023 group, despite winning a Southeastern Conference Championship, did not have those dominant traits. It did have two excellence areas, both on defense, but could both decline in the fall? A breakdown of both areas are below, and Alabama fans hope they are good.
1. Consistency at cornerback
Alabama had two of the best cornerbacks in college football last year.
Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry and Terrion Arnold were consistent on the boundary.
McKinstry dominated as a sophomore with 15 pass breakups and an interception, so no one tried him his junior campaign.
Opposing quarterbacks stayed away from the Birmingham (Ala.) native in 2023, yet he collected seven breakups. McKinstry’s savvy opened an opportunity for Arnold to produce a first-round NFL Draft pick season. Opponents challenged Arnold, but he made them pay with a team-high five interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Alabama brought in three names from the NCAA transfer portal, including two that will be in the mix for starting cornerback, but will they provide the same production as McKinstry and Arnold? It will be a challenge for Domani Jackson and DaShawn Jones in the 4-2-5 defense this season.
2. Sack numbers
Will Anderson carried Alabama’s defense for sacks in 2021 and 2022, en route to becoming the No. 3 overall selection of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell anchored the edges for the Crimson Tide last year, combining for 18 of 39 sacks. Turner was a first-round pick while Braswell got selected in the second round of the draft.
Does Alabama have someone who can keep its sack numbers consistent?
The talent is available on the edge with Quandarrius Robinson, Keanu Koht, Keon Keeley, Qua Russaw, Yhonzae Pierre, and Jayshawn Ross; however, none have shown they can handle the moment. Each one will have an opportunity in preseason camp to prove themselves as pressuring quarterbacks in important in the 4-2-5 system. Alabama could have good numbers, but not having Anderson, Turner, and Braswell makes it difficult. It will interesting to see if the sacks decline in the fall.
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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.
