The wait is almost over. Alabama is set to kick off its fall camp as players report back to Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Thursday before opening up practice on Friday. Before Alabama hits the practice field, BamaInsider.com will take a look at each of the position groups. We continue our series today by examining the defensive line.
Where things stand now
What was once a key concern for Alabama has now diminished due to the emergence of Quinnen Williams at nose tackle. The loss of starting nose tackle Da’Ron Payne to the NFL left Alabama without an obvious replacement up the middle. This spring, Williams was rotated inside to defensive tackle after spending his redshirt freshman season at defensive end. The result was a success as the 6-4, 289-pound defensive lineman filled in effortlessly, wrapping up a promising camp with two sacks on A-Day.
“He’s very fundamentally sound, and he’s a great player,” defensive end Isaiah Buggs said. “He knows everything on defense play-wise. He’s going to have a big role this year.”
If Williams can secure his place up the middle, he will be flanked by two returning starters on either side in Buggs and Raekwon Davis. Last season, Davis led the team with 8.5 sacks and finished second with 10 tackles for a loss. Buggs was tied for second with seven quarterback hurries but was more of a menace against the run where he tallied 46 of his 51 tackles.
Outside of that trio, Alabama lacks much depth or experience. Defensive tackle Johnny Dwight is the unit’s most experienced returner despite having just seven career games under his belt. Defensive end LaBryan Ray put together an impressive freshman season before breaking his foot before the game against Mercer. Redshirt freshman Phidarian Mathis could help spell Williams at nose tackle. Meanwhile, Alabama also brings in two true freshmen in Stephon Wynn Jr. and Christian Barmore as well as a JUCO transfer in Tevita Musika. Wynn and Barmore have the potential to help out at either defensive end or defensive tackle, while Musika, 6-1, 338 pounds, is an interesting option at nose tackle.
What we expect
Buggs, Davis and Williams give Alabama a dependable starting three, but given how much the Crimson Tide rotates its defensive line during games developing depth will be vital.
Ray looks poised for a breakout season and should step up as a rotational player. The former No. 1 player in the state of Alabama tallied a sack and 2.5 tackles for a loss over six games before breaking his foot. This season he’s added some bulk to his 6-5 frame, weighing in at 294 pounds, up 22 pounds from when he first came to Alabama.
The Crimson Tide’s biggest challenge will be finding a backup for Williams at nose tackle. Depending on how Mathis emerges during his redshirt freshman year, the former four-star could be a reliable option. On paper, Musika appears to be a natural fit, but it’s unknown how well he will adapt from the JUCO level. Alabama could also shift Davis inside if no one else can step in.
First-year defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski is viewed as one of the best developers in the nation. Expect him to shuffle his players around during fall camp as he continues to look for answers for the coming season.
Potential surprise
Musika is not only Alabama’s biggest defensive lineman, but he’s also the biggest wildcard in the unit. The San Mateo Junior College transfer was a first-team California Community College Athletic Association All-American last season after tallying 42 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles. However, carrying that success over to the SEC is a tall order.
“I was a junior college guy. I came in early and had to buy into the system. When he’s here, you have to buy into the system,” Buggs said of Musika. “Learn the plays, because we don’t bring junior college guys to sit down. So, you have to come in and learn what to do and get ready to play.”
If Musika can adapt as well as Buggs did last year, he can be a game-changer for Alabama. Growing up, the mammoth defensive lineman lived with former Washington defensive tackle Tevita “Vita” Vea, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 12 pick overall in this year’s NFL draft. With both players sharing the same name, the family nicknamed Musika “wide vita” due to his frame, while dubbing Vea “tall Vita.”
Don’t be surprised if “wide Vita” turns a few heads this season and helps fill what used to be a gaping hole in Alabama’s defense.
