An In-Depth Look at the 2010 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Team: Defense

Whenever a defense such as our 2009 team loses nine starters, the first thing many would think would be, "OMG, we have a huge rebuilding project in front of us!" I'm sure that many non-Bama fans and sportswriters are thinking the same thing.

NOT SO FAST, my friends!

Although the Alabama secondary took a huge hit with the loss of three starters, the front seven's situation is not near as dire. Thanks to rotation play, the DL/LB crew will have five returning players with extensive playing/starting experience in DE Marcell Dareus, NT Josh Chapman, ILB's Nico Johnson and Dont'a Hightower, and OLB Courtney Upshaw. Our depth in the front seven is as deep and talented as any prior Bama squad. (*denotes returning starter)

Defensive end

Marcell Dareus 6-3 280 Jr, Chris Bonds 6-4 285 RFR, Luther Davis 6-4 280 Sr, William Ming 6-3 275 RFR, Brandon Moore 6-5 310 RFR (possible move to OL), Darrington Sentimore 6-3 285 RFR, Damion Square 6-3 290 Soph, Milton Talbert 6-3 270 Sr, Adrian Hubbard 6-7 230 Fr, Wilson Love 6-4 270 Fr. 

Dareus is a blooming star and soon-to-be All American. He will start at one DE. Damion Square was a rising star before being felled with a knee injury. If he comes back at full strength, look for him to battle Luther Davis for the other starting position.

Bonds and Sentimore are two highly recruited redshirts that will be in the rotation. There have been rumors that Moore will move over to the OL. If he doesn't, look for him to be in the mix at either DE or NT.

Talbert lends experience while Ming has been putting on needed weight and learning the defense. Look for all the true freshman to red shirt. Another area that is deeply talented.

Nose Tackle

Josh Chapman 6-1 305 Jr, Kerry Murphy 6-5 320 Soph, Brandon Lewis 6-3 280 Jr, Brandon Ivory 6-3 330 Fr.

Chapman had about as many snaps in 2009 as Mount Cody. He is one of, if not the strongest player on the team. He may not command the attention that Cody did, but he can clog up the middle effectively, is MUCH quicker, can get in the backfield, and can play every down if needed. Look for him to start, with a much improved Murphy playing extensively behind him.

Junior college transfer Lewis is not as big as a conventional NT, but he is strong and fast and can provide needed depth. Ivory is a very big guy who will redshirt to learn the system (again, unless something unexpected happens).

Inside Linebacker

Losing Rolondo McClain hurts more than losing just his physical abilities. He was the quarterback of the defense, such as Rashad Johnson was in 2008. I expect Hightower (or Barron) to step up and become the vocal leader and defensive QB in 2010.

*Nico Johnson 6-3 235 Sophomore

Nico came in after Hightower was injured, and played beyond expectations. Expect continued improvement in 2010 and honors down the road.

*Dont'a Hightower 6-4 255 Junior

I am placing Dont'a here because he was a starter before his injury. Expect him to step into Rolondo's old spot. Reports are that he will be as good as new to begin the season, and if that is the case, opposing offenses will be trying to find ways to avoid him.

Chris Jordan 6-2 235 Jr, Mike Marrow 6-2 245 RFR (possible move from RB), Tana Patrick 6-3 240 RFR, Petey Smith 6-0 248 Fr, C.J. Mosley 6-3 225 Fr.

Although not a lot of experience backs up the two starters, this is a very talented group. Look for Jordan, Smith, and Patrick to get valuable playing time. Marrow may transfer from RB, where we really don't have a FB position anymore. He is a beast who just needs some experience. I think Mosley will be placed here and redshirted to learn the defense.

Outside Linebacker

No "starters" return here, but as on our DL there are some real players here that will step in and do the job. This is another area that is so deep and talented it's almost embarrassing. Although losing Anders and Reamer will sting, the incoming players are truly more talented. 

Courtney Upshaw 6-2 245 Jr, Jonathan Atchison 6-2 230 RFR, Glenn Harbin 6-6 250 RFR, Jerrell Harris 6-3 220 Jr, Ed Stinson 6-4 240 RFR, Chavis Williams 6-4 225 SR, Alfy Hill 6-4 245 Fr.

Upshaw will man the Jack position. He played an important part in our NC season, and can be a terror coming off the edge.

I expect Harris to win the Sam spot. He probably is the most talented of all of the OLB's, and this is his time to shine. If he has his head on straight, he will be one to watch.

Stinson is highly thought of and will certainly contribute. Atchison, Williams, Harbin, and Hill should all see playing time in rotation and/or on special teams. Experience is lacking behind Upshaw and Harris so I don't expect any redshirts.

Cornerback

Losing Arenas, Jackson, Johnson, and Rogers certainly hurts but the cupboard is hardly bare. This is one of two areas that will be closely watched (the other being punter and kicker) going into spring and fall. Experience is all that is lacking, for the talent is bursting at the seams. 

Dre Kirkpatrick 6-3 185 Soph, B.J. Scott 6-0 195 Jr, Phelon Jones 5-11 195 Jr, John Fulton 6-0 175 Fr, Deion Belue 6-0 170 Fr, Demarcus Milliner 6-1 185 Fr (possibly Dequan Menzie 6-0 180 JUCO if he chooses Bama).

I expect Kirkpatrick and Scott to win the starter's jobs. Both were highly rated CB's coming out of HS, and while B.J. spent 2008 on offense, he did have the luxury of spending 2009 re-learning his old position.

Kirkpatrick spent 2009 playing mostly on special teams. His talent and desire to be the best will be on display come spring. Jones transferred from LSU where he started a few games and played extensively. He could replace Johnson as the nickel back.

Fulton and Milliner have already enrolled which will help them tremendously in learning Coach Saban's complicated defensive schemes. Look for one or both to contribute heavily, either in the rotation or on special teams.

Belue may take some extra time to learn the defense, but he may be able to step in and take over Javy's return positions. He was excellent doing so in high school, and I expect he will be given the chance right off the bat when he hits the Capstone.

Safety

As in 2008 when Rashad Johnson left, we lose a wonderful safety in Justin Woodall. But unlike 2008, we have an experienced backup ready to step in and fill his shoes. Also on hand are several players aching to make a name for themselves plus an incoming freshman group that is fast, hard-hitting, and talented.

*SS-Mark Barron 6-2 220 Junior

Barron came out of spring practice behind Robbie Green on the depth chart, but by fall practice had wrestled the starting job away and never let it go. Barron was chosen 3rd team All American, had seven interceptions and one pick-six—all AS A SOPHOMORE! Expect continued improvement and possibly a vocal role in Coach Saban's defense.

Robbie Green 6-0 180 Jr, Robert Lester 6-2 210 RFR, Rod Woodson 5-11 200 Soph, Nick Perry 6-2 190 Fr, Jarrick Williams 6-2 205 Fr, (possibly Keenan Allen Fr is he signs).

Look for Green to win the starting FS spot. Woodson gained experience on special teams in 2008, and is ready to contribute. Lester has had a year to learn the system and he can lay the wood.

Incoming freshmen Perry and Williams are highly rated recruits who will be expected to fight for PT in the rotation and on special teams. Allen is the wild card. IF he signs, he will start out on offense but he gained High School AA honors as a safety. We'l see.

As one can see, the talent and experience returning on the 2010 defense will more than make up for the losses suffered. As with any new year, practice and time will jell this unit.

This defense has the potential to be as fine as any that Alabama has ever fielded. I expect that by the fifth game of the year, they will begin to hit their stride and become as formidable as the 2009 unit.