2026 Alabama Roster Rundown: Defensive Line

[JessN]

TideFans.com | By the Fans, For the Fans. - 2026 Alabama Roster Rundown: Defensive Line

Today we continue our preview of the 2026 Alabama Crimson Tide with a look at the defensive line, to include both tackle spots and the Bandit end position. As stated in previous articles in this se…

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[AlistarWills]

It feels like we are thin on DLine again. Young and/or unproven bodies at the position. Simmons was a fantastic surprise last year. Hoping some guys see the opportunity for a playing time and really step it up in camp.

 

[arthurdawg]

It feels like we are thin on DLine again. You and l/or unproven bodies at the position. Simmons was a fantastic surprise last year. Hoping some guys see the opportunity for a playing time and really step it up in camp.

I think that development and rotating is the key concern. We have 10 guys that should rotate in the three down lineman spots. And better size and athleticism overall at DT. We just have to get guys ready and roll with them. I do hope some of the younger guys are good, seems like some of the developmental players have a long way to go.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Thanks Jess! Got no idea what to expect from this group. Will need to break out the cheat sheet with their names and numbers just to know who is defending us this season.

 

[AlistarWills]

Thanks Jess! Got no idea what to expect from this group. Will need to break out the cheat sheet with their names and numbers just to know who is defending us this season.

We have been bookmarking the website with names and numbers to look at during games for a few years now.

 

[Windsortide]

Great write up Jess RTR.

 

[Windsortide]

I look for this group to surprise and play better than the experts think. I am hopeful we will be better or should I say more consistent against the run this year.

 

[JessN]

It feels like we are thin on DLine again. Young and/or unproven bodies at the position. Simmons was a fantastic surprise last year. Hoping some guys see the opportunity for a playing time and really step it up in camp.

I think it's the opposite. I really like the tackle depth at the moment.

The top four guys are all potential big-time contributors, and guys 5 and 6 got a lot of snaps last year (Hill, Faga).

You also have a couple of Bandits who are going to slide inside every now and then. I think it's a good group unless you have an uncommon number of injuries, but as we move to a rigid 105-man roster, everyone will have this same concern.

 

[arthurdawg]

I think it's the opposite. I really like the tackle depth at the moment.

The top four guys are all potential big-time contributors, and guys 5 and 6 got a lot of snaps last year (Hill, Faga).

You also have a couple of Bandits who are going to slide inside every now and then. I think it's a good group unless you have an uncommon number of injuries, but as we move to a rigid 105-man roster, everyone will have this same concern.

I agree... 4 big bodies that are all more athletic than Keenan and almost certainly have better motors than Payne...

Combine that with 5/6 being guys who can fit situations very well and provide leadership and a 7 who has amazing potential and will hopefully start to realize that this year...

Looking pretty solid. And a wealth of Wolf experience and talent.

If LB depth works out and we pick up from last year this D should be salty.

 

[JessN]

I agree... 4 big bodies that are all more athletic than Keenan and almost certainly have better motors than Payne...

Combine that with 5/6 being guys who can fit situations very well and provide leadership and a 7 who has amazing potential and will hopefully start to realize that this year...

Looking pretty solid. And a wealth of Wolf experience and talent.

If LB depth works out and we pick up from last year this D should be salty.

The best thing I saw from the tackles in the spring was that it looked like they all gave max effort and were there for the right reasons.

We've had a couple of real me-first guys in that group the last 3-4 years and I don't think we have that problem in '26. I hate Keenan is gone, though, because he was one of the good guys and the one thing we don't have right now is a two-gap NT for short yardage.

If Terrance Green is as good as I think he is, we're going to have some fun up front.

 

[arthurdawg]

Keenan would be nice to have.

 

[TiderJack]

It feels like we are thin on DLine again. Young and/or unproven bodies at the position. Simmons was a fantastic surprise last year. Hoping some guys see the opportunity for a playing time and really step it up in camp.

I believe we have a good bit of depth now compared to what we had. Definitely bigger also. I look forward to seeing the new guys and some of our players coming back to have a good year.

 

[arthurdawg]

I believe we have a good bit of depth now compared to what we had. Definitely bigger also. I look forward to seeing the new guys and some of our players coming back to have a good year.

We have seven guys who will rotate at the two DT slots, not including some edge guys who might line up inside in passing situations. Not too shabby. 5 solid rotators would be enough.

 

[Windsortide]

Keenan would be nice to have.

I am hoping the two big guys they brought in can fill that void.

 

[Windsortide]

Alabama needs Kedrick Bingley-Jones and Terrance Green to bolster that front against the run. Hopefully we can be more consistent in stopping the run and start producing negative plays against the run. RTR

 

[CrimsonTitles]

Look for Steve Mboumoua to emerge as a household name this fall. Dude has tremendous upside, and made a ton of noise this off season. He's only been playing football for a few years, so he's still coming into his own, but when it all comes together, he's going to be a monster. I think most expected him to emerge on 2027, but word is, he's ahead of schedule.

 

[arthurdawg]

Look for Steve Mboumoua to emerge as a household name this fall. Dude has tremendous upside, and made a ton of noise this off season. He's only been playing football for a few years, so he's still coming into his own, but when it all comes together, he's going to be a monster. I think most expected him to emerge on 2027, but word is, he's ahead of schedule.

No kidding... He will vault from #7 if he can put it all together. Massive and an athlete!