Five Reasons Alabama Will Repeat in 2016

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Apr 16, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Hale Hentges (84) is tackled a the defense during the annual A-day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Alabama has benefitted from a suffocating defense every year that Nick Saban and Kirby Smart were in Tuscaloosa, but now Kirby Smart is gone. Former secondary coach, Jeremy Pruitt, has taken over his old role, and looks to continue the same success they’ve seen over the past nine years. And Pruitt certainly has the pieces to continue that success.

Alabama lost starters Reggie Ragland, A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, Cyrus Jones, and Geno Matias-Smith to the draft this year. However, those losses may not prove too costly, they’re still unbelievably loaded in their front seven. With sack leader Jonathan Allen returning, as well as former top recruit Da’Shawn Hand and others ready to step in they appear to be in good shape.

Tim Williams, who Nick Saban said ruined the A-Day game for the first team offense, will attempt to become a three down linebacker, and continue to dominate the line of scrimmage for the Crimson Tide alongside Ryan Anderson and others. Reuben Foster will take over the top linebacker role now alongside Shaun Dion Hamilton, and not to mention Rashaan Evans who has been seeing time at both in and outside linebacker.

Alabama’s secondary will be even better this year with emerging star Eddie Jackson starting at safety as well as Marlon Humphrey and Minkah Fitzpatrick manning the two outside corner spots. The other safety spot is assumedly Ronnie Harrison’s, and there are still very talented guys who are backups that will see time such as Deionte Thompson, Tony Brown, and others. Expect this unit to be a major force for the Crimson Tide this year.

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