The Alabama football defense for 2025 won’t look much different from the 2024 season.
Sure, Jihaad Campbell is gone, as are Malachi Moore, Que Robinson and Tim Smith. But otherwise, most of the other starters are back. Plus, Alabama strengthened some of the positions on the roster with more talent and depth.
So much so that there won’t just be one starting defense. The Crimson Tide will likely rotate at many spots under defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s leadership. So 11 guys won’t be the only players seeing time. The number might be closer to 15+ on regulars getting quality snaps on defense.
Nonetheless, for the purpose of this exercise, we stuck with 11 starters. But know that more than that will see the field.
With the transfer portal closing this past Friday, and no Alabama scholarship players entering, here’s our projection of the post-spring transfer portal depth chart for the Crimson Tide defense.
Editor’s note: Read our offensive depth chart projections for Alabama here.
Defensive line
Starters: LT Overton (bandit), James Smith, Tim Keenan III
Reserves: Edric Hill, Jeremiah Beaman, Kelby Collins, Jordan Renaud, Keon Keeley, Fatutoa Henry, Isaia Faga, Steve Bolo Mboumoua, London Simmons
Analysis: Expect plenty of rotation at this spot. Collins is listed as a linebacker, but he’s a moveable piece in the defense depending on how Wommack wants to use him. While Overton, Smith and Keenan figure to start, expect to see plenty of Hill and Beaman as well as Renaud and Keeley mixed into the defense.
Stinger and Mike linebackers
Starters: Deontae Lawson, Nikhai Hill-Green
Reserves: Justin Jefferson, QB Reese, Cayden Jones, Duke Johnson II, Abduall Sanders Jr., Luke Metz
Analysis: Jefferson should get plenty of time once healthy alongside Lawson and Hill-Green. A three-man platoon of sorts could make sense to use. Alabama essentially has three starters here. Who gets the most snaps remains to be seen between Hill-Green and Jefferson, but you want a healthy Lawson on the field for sure.
Wolf linebacker
Starter: Qua Russaw
Reserves: Yhonzae Pierre, Jah-Marien Latham, Noah Carter, Justin Hill
Analysis: Expect to see a healthy dose of Pierre and Latham rotated in with Russaw. Maybe even Carter could get into the mix in his second year if he keeps progressing. Hill is a true freshman but brings intrigue, too.
Cornerbacks
Starters: Domani Jackson, Zabien Brown
Reserves: Dijon Lee Jr., Cam Calhoun, Red Morgan, Chuck McDonald
Analysis: Jackson and Brown each started in 2024 at their respective cornerback spots, and that should continue in 2025. Lee, despite only being a true freshman, showed promise in the spring and can help this defense. Calhoun can also help the defense after transferring from Utah.
Safeties/nickel
Starters: Keon Sabb, Bray Hubbard, DaShawn Jones (nickel)
Reserves: Zavier Mincey, Ivan Taylor, Kameron Howard, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Analysis: Once healthy, Sabb figures to take back his starting spot. Hubbard will likely be the other starter next to him. And Mincey is a prime candidate to rotate in a good bit. He’s viewed as a third starter essentially at safety.
Punter
Starters: Alex Asparuhov
Reserves: Blake Doud, Anderson Green
Analysis: If Alabama can add an experienced punter to the mix via the portal, that could go a long ways in bolstering this spot. In this group post spring, the Crimson Tide has a freshman who missed all spring, a redshirt senior from the Colorado School of Mines and a sophomore from Northridge.
