The Alabama Crimson Tide lost a handful of defensive talent to both the NFL Draft and transfer portal this offseason.
The bandit position was hit hard by these departures, with LT Overton, Keon Keeley, Jordan Renaud and Kelby Collins departing from Alabama.
One of the top remaining questions prior to kickoff is who will take over the Bandit role on the Tide’s defense following the departure of numerous talented big men. USC transfer Devan Thompkins is widely regarded as the favorite to earn the job, but a handful of players have remained firmly in the mix throughout the opening week of fall camp.
Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack recently revealed a handful of big men who have emerged as candidates for the Bandit role, as each player has reportedly made a major impact to begin fall camp.
“There’s a number of guys that are in that spot getting reps right now.” Wommack said. “Edric Hill is actually doing some in certain packages for us, and then of course Kevonte Henry, Desmond Umeozulu is in there as well. And you’ve seen us last year where there’s packages where Yhonzae is playing Bandit, and a lot of it is just based upon what we feel like we need, what we want to anticipate from stopping the run to a pass rush standpoint. Even Yhonzae sometimes goes over there when we don’t want to drop him in coverage, if we’ve got assimilated pressure and we are leaving the Bandit on as part of the rush. So a lot of things we can do there creatively.”
Hill, Henry and Umeozulu are all talented veterans who could prove to be a better fit at Bandit over Thompkins. Hill recorded 23 total tackles, 3 TFL and 1.5 sacks on the Tide’s defensive line last season, while Umeozulu spent the first three years of his collegiate career at South Carolina.
Henry remains as a realistic option according to Wommack as well. The JUCO transfer earned second-team All-National Conference Central Division honors for his efforts at Cerritos Community College last season, and Henry has continued to impress during fall camp.
Alabama will have a handful of talented big men to choose from at the Bandit position, but Thompkins remains as the top option for now nonetheless.
