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re: After processing all that has happened... I think Bama will be much improved
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:29 am to PowHound
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:29 am to PowHound
Outside Linebacker
Keon Keeley 6’5 242 Five Star No.2 player in the entire country. No. 1 OLB
Jeremiah Alexander 6’2 249 Five Star No. 15 player in the country no.1 OLB
So our top two edge rushers were the nations No.1 OLB's in their respective classes.
Qua Russaw 6’2 242 Five star No. 3 nationally at his position
Yhonzae Pierre 6’3 223 Five Star (supposedly highly coveted by CNS) Top 25 top 4 nationally at his position
Keanu Koht 6’4 232 Top 40 No. 4 nationally at his position
Quandarrius Robinson 6’5 231 Top 100 top 10
Coach DeBear has never in his life had this many elite Linebackers. His eyes will pop out when he sees this team in pads come spring ball
Keon Keeley 6’5 242 Five Star No.2 player in the entire country. No. 1 OLB
Jeremiah Alexander 6’2 249 Five Star No. 15 player in the country no.1 OLB
So our top two edge rushers were the nations No.1 OLB's in their respective classes.
Qua Russaw 6’2 242 Five star No. 3 nationally at his position
Yhonzae Pierre 6’3 223 Five Star (supposedly highly coveted by CNS) Top 25 top 4 nationally at his position
Keanu Koht 6’4 232 Top 40 No. 4 nationally at his position
Quandarrius Robinson 6’5 231 Top 100 top 10
Coach DeBear has never in his life had this many elite Linebackers. His eyes will pop out when he sees this team in pads come spring ball
2
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:45 am to PowHound
quote:
Defensive Backs
CB Domani Jackson 6’1 190 Five Star
Jaylen Mbakwe 5’11 170 Five Star
Zay Mincey 6’2 185 Five Star
CB Zabien Brown 6’1 180 Five Star
Tony Mitchell 6’2 205 Top 50
Jahlil Hurley 6’2 170 Top 50
Aeryn Hampton 5’10 175 CNS was big on Hamp - he was this years version of who gets their name mentioned during the signing day presser
DB Malachi Moore 6’0 198 Captain of the DB's this year
DB DeVonta Smith 6’0 194 Ready to make a move
Again, every position group is more talented than anything DeBear has ever had... why is anyone worries we are going to have a bad defense ? Maybe some hickups in a new system, but this personnel suggest Bama will field a very good defense.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:52 am to PowHound
PowHound, a personal request: I know you like using "DeBear" to refer to the coach, but it's cringeworthy to me. Obviously do as you like, but I'd consider it a personal favor if you didn't.
Three big issues with the defensive side of the ball, in my mind:
- New system and terminology. That could be something of a positive, since Saban's schemes (especially in the secondary) were famously complex; in recent years, our defense seemed to suffer at times because of that. However, assuming our experienced defenders will take a step forward is just wishful thinking, at this point, because we don't know how they'll handle learning an entirely new system.
- Depth. Even if our starters take to the new system like ducks to water, we are dangerously thin at some positions -- notably inside linebacker. In 2019 we lost our two starting ILBs to injury before the season started, and we had to start two true freshmen. That is not a recipe for success.
- Overall experience, especially in the secondary. Starting true freshmen at any position in the SEC is not ideal. Even Caleb Downs, who many apparently have anointed as the greatest player in the history of college football, had issues with coverage and understanding his assignments, particularly early in the year. It doesn't matter how highly ranked or highly recruited a player was; being the best in high school is several orders of magnitude easier than being great at the college level.
I'm cautiously optimistic about 2024, but expecting our defense to pick up right where it left off in 2023 isn't logical. I'd be beyond ecstatic if we played that well, but I doubt that will happen.
Three big issues with the defensive side of the ball, in my mind:
- New system and terminology. That could be something of a positive, since Saban's schemes (especially in the secondary) were famously complex; in recent years, our defense seemed to suffer at times because of that. However, assuming our experienced defenders will take a step forward is just wishful thinking, at this point, because we don't know how they'll handle learning an entirely new system.
- Depth. Even if our starters take to the new system like ducks to water, we are dangerously thin at some positions -- notably inside linebacker. In 2019 we lost our two starting ILBs to injury before the season started, and we had to start two true freshmen. That is not a recipe for success.
- Overall experience, especially in the secondary. Starting true freshmen at any position in the SEC is not ideal. Even Caleb Downs, who many apparently have anointed as the greatest player in the history of college football, had issues with coverage and understanding his assignments, particularly early in the year. It doesn't matter how highly ranked or highly recruited a player was; being the best in high school is several orders of magnitude easier than being great at the college level.
I'm cautiously optimistic about 2024, but expecting our defense to pick up right where it left off in 2023 isn't logical. I'd be beyond ecstatic if we played that well, but I doubt that will happen.
This post was edited on 1/24/24 at 10:53 am
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