2 transfer DL have been a great ‘surprise’ for Alabama football

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Most Alabama fans highlight two areas that hold the Crimson Tide from becoming elite defensively under Kane Wommack.

Alabama safety stepping up this spring while starter is limited

They want a defense that can consistently stop the run and apply heavy pressure to opposing quarterbacks.

Wommack took note of this in the NCAA transfer portal, acquiring some body types to present the Tide with more edge rushers.

A couple of players are starting to stand out in spring practice, especially on the defensive line. Daniel Hill, a junior running back, highlighted two names in Monday’s media availability for players that have been a nice ‘surprise’ thus far.

“[Devan] Thompkins from USC, he is a really good player,” Hill said. “Him and Dez [Umeozulu] from South Carolina. … Those two are really great players.”

Wommack is high on both transfers. 

He views Umeozulu as a ‘big win’ for Alabama out the portal and sees Thompkins as a high value player.

Devan Thompskins

Thompkins, a redshirt senior, could play at ‘Bandit’ or ‘Wolf,’ depending on where Wommack wants to use him.

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The 6-foot-5, 298-pounder was responsible for 31 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, a quarterback hurry, and a forced fumble across 28 games for the University of Southern California.

Desmond Umeozulu

Umeozulu, a Maryland native, has the physical structure for the Wolf position (6-6/253), but could wind up at Bandit up front.

He totaled 30 tackles in 36 games at South Carolina with 2.5 stops for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Both players have the ability to create friction to quarterbacks where Alabama does not have to blitz as much.

We will see how both continue to progress in spring before the season comes.

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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.