National media, local media, and even myself thought at times this season if Kane Wommack was truly the right hire for Alabama football as a defensive coordinator.
After four years of issues with Pete Golding and a decent year under Kevin Steele (2023), we all wondered would the Crimson Tide ever return to the dominance it experienced under Kirby Smart and Jeremy Pruitt on that side of the football.
What did we learn about Alabama after its victory over Mercer?
Wommack has answered the question with how the Crimson Tide stacked strong defensive performances in the last five games.
He has the defense attacking in a way that Pruitt had it back in 2016 and 2017. Alabama has 15 takeaways since the South Carolina game, including 12 in Southeastern Conference matchups versus South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and LSU.
The 4-2-5 defense made quick work of Mercer, totaling three takeaways — including a fumble returned for a 66-yard touchdown. Alabama’s 2016 defense had a lot of alpha personalities, but everyone followed Jonathan Allen’s lead.
That group was arguably the most entertaining unit in the Saban era, especially with it way it took the ball off opponents and scored touchdowns.
Jihaad Campbell, a junior inside linebacker, has become that leader for this defense. Everyone follows the New Jersey native’s intensity.
Wommack gives the message to him and Campbell makes sure he and his teammates play at a high level.
The 2016 defense had 16 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles, and eight fumbles returned.
Wommack’s group has 14 picks and 12 forced fumbles through 10 games. Pruitt’s group allowed 13 points per game in 2016, while pitching two shutouts. Wommack’s defense has also pitched two shutouts and has allowed 16.9 points per game.
It took him some time, but we are now starting to see similarities between Pruitt and Wommack with both defenses. Wommack is rounding his group into form at the right time. Pruitt kept a heavy rotation on the defensive line, and we are seeing it from Wommack. Pruitt’s group averaged three sacks a game in 2016, but Wommack’s crew is consistently averaging two per contest. Alabama does not have the kind of pass rushers now that Pruitt had then, yet Wommack has still coached in a way where this defense has just two fewer interceptions than the 2016 group right now. Alabama should surpass that mark before the conclusion of the regular season.
Wommack has a Pruitt-like style as a coach, and we are seeing his defense go up at the right time.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
