Early on in the season, Alabama fans were pessimistic about Kane Wommack and his defensive scheme. There was a lot of skepticism following Alabama’s losses against Tennessee and Vanderbilt. The SWARM defense was concerning at first, but it seems to be working like a charm as of late.
In the last two games, Alabama’s defense has allowed just 13 points — two field goals and a last-minute touchdown against LSU. Altogether, Alabama’s defense has recorded six turnovers and three sacks in the last eight quarters. The level of dominance has propelled the Crimson Tide to a No. 9 ranking in the latest AP Poll.
Alabama’s defense has performed at a high level despite multiple players suffering injuries in the secondary. Starting safety Keon Sabb is out for an extended period of time after suffering a broken foot in the Tennessee game. Defensive back DeVonta Smith has battled through some injuries as well. Safety Bray Hubbard has performed extremely well in each of his two starts. He has recorded 11 tackles and two interceptions. His presence in the secondary has been very helpful to the Crimson Tide’s defensive efforts.
Starting linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson continue to improve and are playing to the Alabama standard. They combined to have 19 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble against LSU. Their performance will play a large role in how the Crimson Tide fare on defense moving forward.
The defensive line has been as disruptive as it has been all season long. Defensive linemen Tim Keenan III, Jah-Marien Latham, Tim Smith, and LT Overton have each stepped up following the Tennessee loss.
Overall, the defense’s dominance has been captivating to say the least. There seems to be a sense of confidence in the locker room that both sides can execute the gameplan at a high level. If Alabama continues to play complimentary football, it will be more difficult for them to lose.
GET THE BEST ALABAMA FOOTBALL INSIDER INFORMATION, MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, AND RECRUITING COVERAGE TODAY! SIGN UP HERETO UNLOCK OUR SUBSCRIBER ONLY CONTENT!*
Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
