What the addition of Trent Simpson means for Freddie Roach, Alabama’s D-Line?

Photo comes via Kent Gidley of Alabama athletics

Kalen DeBoer truly wants Alabama football to dominate both lines of scrimmage for his head coaching tenure.

Alabama hiring new assistant defensive line coach, per multiple reports

He addressed the offensive line with Adrian Klemm and Richard Owens, but DeBoer’s latest move on the defensive front was a masterful chess piece. Trent Simpson, the Crimson Tide’s new assistant defensive line coach, is one of the hottest young names in the profession. He studied the last four years – including three as an analyst – under Brent Venables at Oklahoma.

Venables, a defensive mastermind, loves crafting teams filled with toughness, intensity, discipline, and the ability to just get after opponents. Simpson brings that mindset to Tuscaloosa (Ala.) in teaming up with Freddie Roach to replace the departed Jamey Mosley. It seems like just another name on the surface, but getting Simpson was a calculated move by DeBoer – signaling a return to excellence. Oklahoma’s defense totaled 132 sacks from 2022 to 2025 with its defensive line accounting for 96.5 – good for 73.1 percent of its production.

Oklahoma’s defensive numbers in NCAA for 2025

-45 sacks (3.46 per game), 1st in NCAA

-122 tackles for loss (9.4 per game), 1st in NCAA

-28.2% conversion rate allowed on 3rd down (53/188), 3rd in NCAA

-194 first downs allowed, 3rd in NCAA

-15.5 points per game allowed, 7th in NCAA

-272.5 yards per game allowed, 6th in NCAA

Ty Simpson, who is in the NFL Draft process, spent 2025 as his lone season as Alabama’s starting quarterback.

He was sacked 28 times last season, and nearly one-third (29%) of his punishment came against the Sooners.

Oklahoma sacked Simpson eight times between two matchups. Trent Simpson mentored eight double-digit tackles for loss seasons in four years, including three last season with Taylor Wein (15.5), Owen Heinecke (12), and Kip Lewis (10.5).

What Zabien Bown has seen from Alabama’s five-star freshmen defensive backs

R Mason Thomas, a first-team All-SEC selection in 2025, was the best pass rush specialist Simpson helped generate.

Thomas produced 17 career sacks, including a career-high nine in 2024.

Simpson specializes in creating pressure on the quarterback without blitzing.

Kane Wommack, the Tide’s defensive coordinator, wants more edge rushers on the field and it’s why he is blending the ‘Bandit’ and ‘Wolf’ positions. The schemes Simpson brings from Oklahoma under Venables should enhance Wommack’s 4-2-5 system. Freddie Roach got guys to pop on the defensive front, yet Simpson will fine-tune areas where more sacks and takeaways can be created. Alabama was already good up front, but the addition of Simpson gives them a new element to be dangerous.

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