Alabama football fans have an understanding that a formidable defense starts with a violent pass rush.
Kalen DeBoer inherited several experienced defensive linemen from Nick Saban.
Two of the potential four linemen for the Crimson Tide will be in-state products, including one from Birmingham, Ala.
Tim Kennan III, a redshirt junior, grew up in a culture that respected the dominance of Tide football. An alumnus of Ramsay High School, he watched Coach Saban take the 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2020 teams to national championships. Kennan played on Alabama’s 2021 Southeastern Conference Championship as a freshman, regardless of redshirting. The former four-star became a significant part of the Tide’s SEC Championship last year as a first-year starter.
He earned an opportunity at nose tackle and dominated the opposition.
RELATED: Kalen DeBoer reveals where ‘a lot of the differences’ will be in Alabama defense under Kane Wommack
Kennan dropped his playing weight to 315 pounds and totaled 38 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, seven quarterback hurries (led all defensive linemen), and a pass breakup. His leadership and intensity make him the player everyone up front feeds off of.
He added 11 pounds in the summer, increasing from 315 to 326.
The 6-foot-2 specimen has always been great against the run; however, Kane Wommack — Alabama’s defensive coordinator — wants to see more from Kennan as a pass rusher.
He has embraced the challenge of pressuring the pocket more and finishing plays on the quarterback.
Wommack said this week that Kennan’s efforts have started paying off. The Tide has different body types up front that can generate pressure, but having Kennan disrupt the pocket from the interior will be crucial in the fall.
Alabama DT Tim Kennan III is a natural run stopper, but Kane Wommack is pleased with how the Birmingham native has grown in becoming a pass rusher.@TDAlabamaMag @TouchdownETP pic.twitter.com/svC4CEe4x0
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) August 13, 2024
“When I first got here, that was one of the things Tim and I talked about,” Wommack said. “We take pride in this defense creating production in the defensive line room and on the interior. I think Tim has taken to it really well. You can tell he is maximizing value for himself from a pass rush standpoint. He is mindful of it. We try to give run-pass indicators for our players, and then let them call out those indicators. I may make a run stopping call that can transition to a pass rush defense, so they are doing a really good job with those communications. Tim is a leader, he does everything right, and he’s starting to get rewarded for his production.”
Wommack is looking forward to watching Kennan enhance Alabama’s pass rush on the field.
RELATED: Anniston product on pace to be special for Alabama’s future offensive line
If the Tide’s outside rushers and inside rushers make it rough on quarterbacks, this defense will be special in the fall.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
