Transfer LB ”setting a dominant tone” on defense for Alabama, per Kane Wommack

One of three things Kane Wommack said in Friday’s media availability with reporters is wanting Alabama’s defense to be consistently dominant.

He stated how the Crimson Tide had flashes of dominant potential in 2025, but he did not see it enough. Alabama has returned playmakers to get its defense to an elite level; however, Wommack also did some heavy lifting in the NCAA transfer portal.

What Kane Wommack feels Alabama has to do to have a dominant defense in 2026

The Tide lost Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikahi Hill-Green from its inside linebacker room, but it brought over an experienced transfer.

Caleb Woodson, a former Virginia Tech standout, is exactly what Alabama needed. The 6-foot-3, 238-pounder was wildly productive through 35 career games for the Hokies. He amassed 153 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups, and an interception. Woodson not only brings experience, but his skill set to stop the run, pressure quarterbacks (if needed), and play in coverage is huge.

Alabama returning defensive back taking his game to another level, per Wommack

He fits Wommack’s 4-2-5 system as either a middle or off-ball (‘Sting’) linebacker. Wommack likes the way Woodson fits the room. He is already engaging the young inside ‘backers as a leader.

“He is a professional,” Wommack said Friday of Woodson’s mindset. “He is very much about his business and he uses the resources of this program. He is up here a lot, he is around the program.

He loves Woodson’s unselfishness and willingness to learn, but what stands out most to Wommack about the transfer linebacker is his relentless effort.

“The biggest thing about him is how hard he plays,” Wommack said on Woodson.

“We are really stressing the effort and finish that we play with. The effort and finish that you see is something that should stand out about our defense.”

Wommack said the effort and finish has been solid but not elite in the last two years.

“We want to make sure we are elite, and Caleb has really set the tone for those things,” he said.

He’s making an impact, but we will see if Woodson becomes the piece that has Alabama feared again.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.