Fall Recruiting News: How Will Alabama Finish? Defense

By Jason Argo

One of the big concerns for Bama fans coming into this year and in the last few years has been in the front seven on defense.

I’m not sure which position group has been a larger concern in this area, but either way, we took enough in the last class to satisfy both positions.

With that said, we all know Coach Saban cares nothing for being satisfied. So…..

Defensive Line

I could try to break this position down into tackles and ends, but honestly, only Saban knows where these guys are likely to end up on the line.

For instance, I see Quinton Dial as a 6-foot-5, 310-pound defensive tackle, whereas Saban wants Dial playing on the end.

Of course, when Dial lines up at the strong-side end and the JACK linebacker slides down next to him, I suppose that moves him into a true defensive tackle position. That gives you a small idea of what an opposing offensive coordinator has to deal with during Bama week.

Speaking of Dial, the gigantic defensive end reminds me a lot of Marcel Darues in terms of his recruitment.

For whatever reason, the recruiting services aren’t extremely high on Dial, although it has been told to a few insiders that Quinton was very, very high on Saban’s board. Through six games this season, Dial has racked up 45 tackles, 11 sacks, five tackles for a loss and 16 QB hurries.

The latest addition in the recruiting class is a Louisiana native, Darrington Sentimore. Sentimore is another prospect that plays tackle in high school but projects on the end in Saban’s defense.

Sentimore claims a 4.6 40 time, which is incredible for his size. He is also listed as one of the quickest defensive tackles in the nation this year, which is why Bama likes him at End.

Add two more big defensive end prospects in William Ming and Anthony Orr, and Bama is shaping up to finish with another huge defensive line class.

How will we finish?

Although we signed a huge defensive line class in February and already have four commitments for this class, expect Saban to save a spot for one more commitment.

The prospect who appears to have a spot set aside is Brandon Moore. Moore is another lineman that projects on either side of the ball.

But in the same way I listed Fluker with the offensive line class, I’m placing Moore in this spot, because I think he’ll start at defensive tackle.

Linebackers

Another spot that Saban loaded up on in the last class is linebacker. We’ve already seen an upgrade in this position as Don’ta Hightower is a starter and huge contributor on defense this season, while Courtney Upshaw and Jerrell Harris are both second string and key players on special teams.

Alabama has already taken one of the state's top players this fall in Nico Johnson. Johnson has been one of the few bright spots this fall for a 1-5 Andalusia team, having already recorded over 70 tackles. Nico is projected at inside linebacker for the Tide and will make an instant impact at the depth for that position.

Another inside backer commitment for Bama in this class is Mike Marrow. Though many think Marrow can play running back for Alabama, I just don’t see it happening with our current backfield situation.

Therefore, I’ve placed Marrow with the backers, and for good reason. Through seven games this fall, Mike has already made 80+ tackles despite not playing defense in two games.

At 240 pounds, Marrow really fits into what Saban and Coach Steele are trying to do in the middle of the field.

How will we finish?

There is still one more top prospect in the state this year who plays linebacker. If North Jackson standout Tana Patrick decides he wants to play for Alabama, and all signs point to him wearing Crimson next fall, he will have a spot set aside for him.

Auburn commitment Jonathan Atchinson flirted with Bama early, but nothing much has been said about him since he committed to Auburn. Some insiders feel that Bama cooled on Atchinson long before he gave a verbal to Auburn.

Defensive Backs

The defensive backfield is a position that Saban takes a lot of pride in. The fact that he helps to coach this area of the team goes a long way with defensive back prospects.

The big commitment so far in this class is a head-hunting safety prospect Rod Woodson. Woodson was also an unknown to the major recruiting services for a while as they didn’t have footage on the Olive Branch star.

He turned a few heads at a 7-on-7 drill in Hoover during mid-summer with a 44.6 vertical jump. Woodson was also a boxer from the ages of 10-17, if that gives you any indication of the type of mentality this kid has. He’ll be punishing any receiver who dares to cross the middle.

The only true cornerback so far in this class is Faith Academy’s Gerald West. West has good size and is excellent in man coverage, which is a major plus.

How will we finish?

The top cornerback in the nation this year is Gadsden City’s Dre Kirkpatrick. Dre is a very tall cornerback prospect at 6′2″ and has an incredible knack for making plays on the ball.

He hasn’t put up huge numbers this year, but it is only because opposing teams refuse to throw the ball his way.

Although he isn’t on the commitment board yet, the RollTideBama.com recruiting staff feels very confident that he’ll be in crimson next fall.

Official Visitors on campus for the Ole Miss weekend include:

*DE Montez Robinson

*DE Chris Bonds

*DB Jonathan Scott