Kool-Aid McKinstry send a message to his head coach.
The new era of Alabama defensive football is being ushered in. A recent graphic in the football facility touts “SwarmD.” It’s a mantra from new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack signifying the identity under new coach Kalen DeBoer.
But one constant remains — position coach Freddie Roach’s expectation for strong defensive line play.
Roach, 40, played for Alabama from 2002-2005 and has made an impression as a member of the staff in three different stints: with the strength & conditioning staff (2008-2010), as the director of player development (2015-2016) and as defensive line coach since 2020. The work he did with the defensive line in 2023 and his efforts to keep the roster together after Nick Saban’s retirement were rewarded DeBoer. Not only was Roach retained, but he was elevated to assistant head coach.
ADVERTISEMENT
Running backs coach Robert Gillespie is the only other Saban assistant who remains on staff.
“First of all, you listen to what people around the program had to say,” DeBoer said of the decision at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in January. “In regards to their relationships with the players, how strong their position groups were, who they are as people, as well as what their impact has been in recruiting.
“These guys have been amazing. They helped us keep the team together I think, through some tough times, even before I was hired. I think they had a huge impact on that. And then once I got here, just locking arms with them and trusting them. Just like I ask the guys to be all in on me, I’ve been all in on them.”
Looking at Roach’s defensive line, it is among the strongest position groups on the team entering the 2024 season. The only significant loss of note, albeit a big one, is senior Justin Eboigbe, an All-SEC selection in 2023. By the end of last season, Alabama’s regular defensive line rotation featured Eboigbe, Tim Keenan III, Jah-Marien Latham, Jaheim Oatis, Damon Payne Jr. and Tim Smith, with freshman James Smith getting spot snaps. The group’s veteran presence will be key in 2024, with young players filling bigger roles at outside linebacker and the secondary.
Alabama also adds Texas A&M transfer LT Overton, a multi-year contributor for the Aggies. Overton joined the team during Rose Bowl prep and made an immediate impression on the outgoing Eboigbe.
“Great guy because when it comes to individual drills, he’s the first guy up, ready to help us give us a look,” Eboigbe said ahead of the Rose Bowl. “So I have nothing but great things to say about him.”
The responsibilities of the defensive line will change in 2024 under Wommack. Under Saban, defensive linemen were used to control gaps and allow the linebackers to flow through and make plays. A more aggressive 4-2-5 look under Wommack will call on defensive linemen to rush upfield and make plays.
ADVERTISEMENT
There are several players in line for snaps in 2024, and Alabama has several redshirt freshmen who impressed during the 2023 season as scout team members, all highly touted high school prospects in Edric Hill, Hunter Osborne and Jordan Renaud. Playing on the scout team isn’t the most glamorous role, but Roach saw the improvement after they competed against the starting offensive line in practice, and now there’s a chance to factor into the rotation with a strong spring practice.
“For the most part you have to humble yourself a bit,” Roach said in an interview with The Athletic prior to the Rose Bowl.
“What happens is they understand the speed of the game. In high school, you’re used to playing guys that are smaller than you, the adjustment to playing against bigger guys, the speed of the game, leverage, all of that is huge.”
At this point last year, the depth of the defensive line was a question mark. Entering spring practice (start date TBD) this year, it’s a strength, particularly along the interior with Keenan, Oatis, Payne and James Smith. A defensive end position under Wommack known as “bandit” (an Eboigbe-like player) is more of a question without a clear returner at that position. Overton, Latham, Osborne, Renaud and Tim Smith are candidates.
Spring practice will be key in learning a new system, but there are proven commodities and talent in place that could give confidence that Alabama’s standard at the line of scrimmage will continue in 2024.
