The Alabama Defense Under DeBoer / Wommack / Linguist

[TXPachyderm]

I wanted to get the Crimson brethren’s take on the defense next year. If you can digest the video, It’s the most informative that wasn’t just OMG / recycled opinions. Interesting to see which schemes, remaining position hires, and personnel we use next year. What say ye?

 

[TXPachyderm]

I feel the offense will take care of itself to a degree with DeBoer/Grubbs at the helm and with seemingly more players staying on offense.

Does anyone know what kind of alignments, packages, blitzes, Wommack typically does? Any resident UofSA fans? What key players can flourish in Wommack systems? Is it too early to say?

 

[TideMan09]

I saw this on al.com & he runs a 4-2-5 style of an attacking D from what I've gathered..

Here's The Link

What to expect from new Alabama DC Kane Wommack: ‘Now I will have more’

Kane Wommack describes the traits that have made him successful as a defensive coordinator.

www.al.com

 

[TXPachyderm]

I found some more! 16.7% in 2023, were plays resulting in a tackle for loss, sack, force fumble, interception or pass deflection (FBS ranking 30th)

Wommack blitzed 18% of the time (FBS ranking 124th ), which is why I'm impressed that his defense was still able to get pressure often (FBS ranking 14th). I would imagine we dial up more pressure if our backend takes a step back.

Acknowledging his system has proven results of development and on-field production, the 4-2-5 puts more on the safeties. And at DB we’ve lost 7 and there’s 5 remain with 8 newcomers. Hopefully we get UW’s Muhammad. I’m excited to see what they pull together there.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I saw this on al.com & he runs a 4-2-5 style of an attacking D from what I've gathered..

Here's The Link

What to expect from new Alabama DC Kane Wommack: ‘Now I will have more’

Kane Wommack describes the traits that have made him successful as a defensive coordinator.

www.al.com

Whoever the reporter was that made the statement/question "The students are going to give you three games.." and actually was serious about the question should have been escorted out. This isn't Saturday Night at the Improv and IMO, that type of question had zero place in that arena.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I think there might be a chance for the younger players to get involved early because I don’t think this defense will be as complicated as the defense taught by Saban. Mbakwe should see the field from the start, allowing a more experienced corner to help with the nickel package in other areas. I also hope this will allow some of the edge guys to create havoc Roach is still there so I don’t expect a rise in defensive line play, but maybe he will surprise me.

 

[gtgilbert]

I think there might be a chance for the younger players to get involved early because I don’t think this defense will be as complicated as the defense taught by Saban. Mbakwe should see the field from the start, allowing a more experienced corner to help with the nickel package in other areas. I also hope this will allow some of the edge guys to create havoc Roach is still there so I don’t expect a rise in defensive line play, but maybe he will surprise me.

Agreed on the thoughts with the younger guys, and it looks like we might need them.

I also think that we could see more room for guys who have been tweaners - not big enough to be DL, but not really in Sabans prototype for OLB, to find roles on an opposite edge from the speed guys. We've got several on the roster in the 260-280 pound range than in the Saban system would have had a really, really hard time finding a spot, so this shift might give those guys a little chance.

We might also seem some of our OLB guys like Robinson and Koht, who also don't really fit the mold of a Saban edge, get looks inside this year.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

You won't see a massive change in what Bama did the last few years, except that it'll bring pressure on almost every play.

 

[Bidgoodman]

Whoever the reporter was that made the statement/question "The students are going to give you three games.." and actually was serious about the question should have been escorted out. This isn't Saturday Night at the Improv and IMO, that type of question had zero place in that arena.

Watching the DeBoer question and answer, the guy identified himself as Pubic Television, NPR. I agree the guy should have been escorted out. However, Deboer just laughed it off, saying something like "that many".
I would expect as much from NPR.

 

[TXPachyderm]

Wommack will adapt to personnel no doubt, however UofSA was in nickel 99.8% snaps in 2024. I would say a critical position to watch in 2024 is the Wolf position (Sam position, strong side linebacker/edge) being one of the 3 or 4 rushers they used.

The Husky position (Star position) is one to watch moving forward too and maybe Smith or Moore could fill that in 2024. Mitchell could help unlock some playmaking possibilities for Smith and Moore depending.

 

[TXPachyderm]

Kalen DeBoer is hiring Wisconsin co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Colin Hitschler. 247Sports ranked him as top 30 recruiters during the 2024 cycle, credited with helping secure seven of Wisconsin’s 22 signees.

 

[Foleybammer]

Watch our defensive tackles come alive and start making more plays since we won't
be two gapping anymore. A one gap scheme allows the d line to attack.
Watch we'll get more TFL's next season.

 

[mlh]

I think there might be a chance for the younger players to get involved early because I don’t think this defense will be as complicated as the defense taught by Saban. Mbakwe should see the field from the start, allowing a more experienced corner to help with the nickel package in other areas. I also hope this will allow some of the edge guys to create havoc Roach is still there so I don’t expect a rise in defensive line play, but maybe he will surprise me.

I think that's a good thing. Simpler is better.

 

[Con]

I think that's a good thing. Simpler is better.

Yep, I can’t wait to see how fast they can play this coming year.

 

[BamaMoon]

So am I understanding this right? We'll expect the 4 up front to create their own havoc as compared to CNS's 3 man front whose function was to allow LBs to make more plays???

 

[B1GTide]

So am I understanding this right? We'll expect the 4 up front to create their own havoc as compared to CNS's 3 man front whose function was to allow LBs to make more plays???

I think that we will have to wait and see. If they want to run Saban's defense, you have the personnel for it (barely).

 

[BamaMoon]

I think that we will have to wait and see. If they want to run Saban's defense, you have the personnel for it (barely).

My impression is Wommack doesn't run the 3-4. I realize we weren't always in it cause we were in the nickel a lot, but seems like if there was a desire to stay with that system, we wouldn't have hired someone who is known for running a 4-2-5.

Think I like the most is his system sounds like a more player-friendly/easier to pick up for the new players whether freshmen/portalies.

 

[B1GTide]

My impression is Wommack doesn't run the 3-4. I realize we weren't always in it cause we were in the nickel a lot, but seems like if there was a desire to stay with that system, we wouldn't have hired someone who is known for running a 4-2-5.

Think I like the most is his system sounds like a more player-friendly/easier to pick up for the new players whether freshmen/portalies.

Saban's defense is now a lot closer to a 4-2-5 than the 3-4. Not exactly a 4-2-5, but absolutely not a 3-4 anymore.

 

[99ALUM]

One thing that made Jeremy Pruitts D so effective while at Alabama was his ability to convince Saban to scale it back, take some of the complication out of the schemes and let players make plays. Those were some Sabans best defenses as a result. I am excited with the defensive coaches currently in place, with Bama talent, I feel it will be effective.

 

[tidehawk]

When you hear that Bama ran a 3 man front, technically that is true but you also saw them walk an OLB up. I don't think we will see a tremendous difference scheme-wise. I do hope it is more streamlined and simplified. Less thinking, more reacting.