5 questions for Alabama to answer on defense in 2nd scrimmage

Mark J. Rebilas - Imagn Images

Ryan Coleman-Williams, aggressiveness at quarterback, and the offensive line figuring things out were the headlines after Alabama’s first scrimmage.

Greg McElroy details why Alabama fans should want close QB race

Scrimmage No. 2 is Friday, and the attention turns to Kane Wommack and the defense.

The Crimson Tide wants to be the best in the nation defensively; however, it starts with dominating matchups in game-like practices. Coach Wommack has a desire to be elite, but just being good is not good enough for him.

The five biggest questions the Tide’s defense must answer in scrimmage two are below. 

1. Can the defense communicate better as a group?

Keon Sabb, a third-year safety at Alabama, answered a question from reporters about the Crimson Tide’s communication after scrimmage one.

The New Jersey native said it was good, but not at the level he knows it can be.

Alabama AD feels SEC Championship has ‘run its course’ in college football

Sabb wants his second College Football Playoff National Championship, so how can the communication be better?

Alabama can have assignments and adjustments called out better so that everyone is on the same page.

If a player is switching an assignment to a teammate, the teammate needs to have that communication quickly. A defense that can communicate plays faster and is more efficient. Hopefully, we see it happen in Friday’s scrimmage.

2. Will the defensive backs have a better showing against the receivers?

In the clips we saw from Alabama’s first scrimmage, we can confirm the wide receivers had a field day against the secondary.

Ryan Williams went off for several explosive plays – including at least two touchdowns.

Rico Scott, Lotzier Brooks, and Noah Rogers (transfer from North Carolina State) got off some marquee moments too. Bray Hubbard, a junior, has been limited in practice, so Ivan Taylor is getting more reps this spring at safety. The Tide could have the best defensive backfield in the country, but will it start by having a better showing in scrimmage two versus the receivers?

It has to. 

If the receivers go off again, then Alabama fans will question how good the secondary is.

3. Can the defensive front offset Austin Mack and Keelon Russell?

Kalen DeBoer said multiple quarterbacks tossed multiple touchdown passes in the first scrimmage, and highlighted the aggressiveness of Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.

Alabama’s defensive front could not rattle the quarterbacks in the first game-like practice, yet will there be improvement?

This is an opportunity for Wommack to show he has the bodies up front that can flush Mack and Russell out the pocket, knock them off their spot, make them feel highly uncomfortable, and create sacks when needed. It acquired dudes from the NCAA transfer portal, including Devan Thompkins and Desmond Umeozulu, but it is time to see pressure be applied to quarterbacks.

4. Will the Tide force more takeaways?

Alabama might have had one takeaway forced in the first scrimmage.

Former Alabama LB tells why he believes Tide will play more base defense with bigger linemen in 2026

Wommack preaches the importance of taking the ball off opposition. The Crimson Tide needs to swarm to the ball and generate more takeaways. If it can put together some interceptions or forced fumbles, that would do well for the defense’s confidence.

5. Which young inside linebacker emerges next to Caleb Woodson?

Caleb Woodson, a transfer from Virginia Tech, has come into Tuscaloosa (Ala.) and basically locked up a starting spot at inside linebacker.

He will more than likely be the “Mike” or green dot communicator on defense, especially with his experience, production, and instincts to quickly pick up Alabama’s system. 

The question now becomes who plays next to him at “Sting?”

Alabama has a rotation of young names – including QB Reese, Cayden Jones, Luke Metz, Abduall Sanders Jr., and Duke Johnson II – but who steps up? The answer will provide Wommack with his off-ball linebacker that can shoot gaps to stop the run, possess lateral quickness to run plays down, pressure the quarterback on blitz looks, and cover receiving options.

It will be intriguing to see which young name takes over.

*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.