Alabama Football’s Next Set of Defensive Leaders Ready to Fill Important Shoes

The Crimson Tide lost nine key players from its 2022-23 defensive unit. The new stars are ready to make their impact felt.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It’s not a new problem.

The Alabama Crimson Tide has had to deal with losing players to the NFL for a very long time.

Quarterback Bryce Young is headed to the next level after two spectacular seasons in Tuscaloosa — including a Heisman trophy in 2021.

Even as important as Young is, the Crimson Tide’s defensive unit is losing more production from a season ago.

Nine players to be exact. Nine.

That long list includes the likes of Will Anderson Jr., Brian Branch, Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams, Henry To’o To’o, DJ Dale, Byron Young, Jaylen Moody and Eli Ricks.

That’s quite a bit of talent.

Anderson Jr. was perhaps the best defensive player for Alabama since Derrick Thomas.

How do you replace that?

“Will’s a great guy. He works hard,” edge rusher Chris Braswell said. “He [told] me and a lot of the other guys, keep working, keep your head down, be the best that you can possible.”

“I feel like everyone is ready to step up, as well as me. With Will being gone, he had a great impact for the school and for the team. He was a very good leader. It’s time for me and other guys to step up into that role.”

Braswell was not too shabby himself last year. He had four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 13 games.

He isn’t satisfied yet.

“I feel like I could improve on a lot of things in my game,” Braswell said. “Pass rush, play the run, jump into coverage. You can never be great at anything. You can always be better. There’s always room for improvement.”

Braswell will be alongside veteran rusher Dallas Turner this year. With them will be newcomers Trezmen Marshall and Justin Jefferson. Marshall is a transfer from Kirby Smart’s defense at Georgia while Jefferson was the No. 1 JUCO linebacker in the country.

“It’s been very easy for them,” Braswell said. “They’re getting onto the playbook pretty well. […] Those guys work hard as well.”

With Dale and Byron Young leaving the defensive line, it will be important for new guys to step up there as well. One of those guys is Jaheim Oatis — who lost nearly 100 pounds on his way into Tuscaloosa as a freshman.

Oatis feels he learned a lot from Dale and Young last year as a first-year player.

“[Those] two guys, they were good captains and good leaders,” Oatis said. “I learned a lot from DJ and Byron playing with them. They were helping me out during the season with the plays, working hard and I appreciate those two.”

Replacing defensive players is hard enough. The Crimson Tide is replacing defensive coordinator Pete Golding as well.

With Kevin Steele now in charge — again — Alabama will have to learn a new coaching style and system.

Steele’s points of emphasis so far?

“Great defense,” Braswell said. “Being physical, fast, and [eliminating] mental errors and penalties.”

“I like Coach. He’s here,” cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry said. “He’s doing what he needs to do, I feel like. I feel like the defense will be a good defense. We’re working to become the best defense, so that’s what we’re doing.”

After finishing 13th in the country in total defense in 2022-23, the Crimson Tide will look to have similar results in the coming season — even without its former leaders.

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