Post Spring Alabama Defensive Depth Chart Projection

The Alabama Crimson Tide wraps up spring practice this week after holding its third and final scrimmage during A-Day last Saturday. Yesterday, we previewed what the Crimson Tide's starting offense could look like if Alabama had to play a game this Saturday.

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READ MORE: Post Spring Alabama Offensive Depth Chart Projection

If Alabama was set to face East Carolina this Saturday, what would the Crimson Tide's starting lineup be against the Pirates?

Defensive Line: Terrance Green (R-Jr.), London Simmons (So.), Devan Thompkins (R-Sr.)

In Rotation: Kedrick Bingley-Jones (Gr.), Fatutoa Henry (R-Sr.), Edric Hill (R-Jr.), Jeremiah Beaman (R-So.), Steve Bolo Mboumoua (R-So.), Isaia Faga (R-So.)
Bench: Leslie Black (R-Jr.), Caleb Smith (R-Fr.), Corey Howard Jr. (Fr.), Mhari Johnson (Fr.)

Alabama's defensive line room, alongside its secondary, is arguably the deepest for the Crimson Tide. Alabama revamped that room this offseason, adding starters from USC (Devan Thompkins), Oregon (Terrance Green), and Mississippi State (Kedrick Bingley-Jones). The Crimson Tide's defense will have to improve its run defense from last season, and with a multitude of capable bodies in the room, Alabama's defenders should remain fresh game-in and game-out, no matter how many times opponents run the ball. As a pass rush, Alabama is hoping to get more from its interior unit, with London Simmons flashing as a true freshman last season. Bandit defensive end lost its top three players from last season (LT Overton, Jordan Renaud, Keon Keeley), but USC transfer Devan Thompkins is expected to step into that role. If Alabama can get consistency from its defensive line, the Tide's defense could go from the top 15 it had last season to a top-five squad in 2026.

Linebacker: Yhonzae Pierre (R-Jr.), Caleb Woodson (Sr.), QB Reese (R-So.)

In Rotation: Justin Hill (So.), Desmond Umeozulu (Sr.), Luke Metz (So.), Cayden Jones (Jr.)
Reserves: Duke Johnson (So.), Abduall Sanders Jr. (So.), Xavier Griffin (Fr.), Jamarion Matthews (Fr.), Zay Hall (Fr.)

Alabama's linebacking room will feature several new faces after the departures of Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikhai Hill-Green. However, Alabama attacked the position by adding Caleb Woodson from Virginia Tech, who had a really good spring camp. Is it safe to say he's locked down a starting spot with the Crimson Tide's defense? Probably, as he exclusively ran with the first-team defense during Alabama's A-Day scrimmage. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack rotates players often on defense, meaning that while inside linebacker will only have two "starters," it's likely we see a third linebacker get significant reps. Who are the other two, besides Woodson, that can get reps inside? We saw QB Reese crack the rotation last season, and he was the first linebacker off the bench if Lawson, Jefferson, and Hill-Green weren't on the field. He ran with the first-team defense on A-Day and flashed good play recognition, leading to us listing him as a starting inside linebacker in our post-spring practice depth chart projection. Cayden Jones is another player who split reps with Woodson and Reese on A-Day, and the third-year, North Carolina-native made some good plays. At Wolf (outside linebacker), Yhonzae Pierre is back for his fourth season with the program, and was a wrecking ball last Saturday. Behind him, Justin Hill had two tackles for loss in the scrimmage and played with his hair on fire. Hill may have started last season as the fourth Wolf on the depth chart, but by the end of the season, he was playing the second-most snaps besides Pierre at that position. He's poised to have an explosive year two for Alabama. South Carolina transfer Desmond Umeozulu also had a couple of good moments, with Alabama lining him up at outside linebacker and defensive end, showcasing his positional versatility. Luke Metz is another name to watch at inside linebacker.

Secondary: Zabien Brown (Jr.), Dijon Lee Jr. (So.), Red Morgan (Jr.), Bray Hubbard (Sr.), Keon Sabb (R-Sr.)

In Rotation: Carmelo O'Neal (Jr.), Jorden Edmonds (Fr.), Ivan Taylor (So.), Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. (Jr.), Jireh Edwards (Fr.), Zavier Mincey (Jr.)
Reserves: Chuck McDonald III (R-Fr.), Zyan Gibson (Fr.), Rihyael Kelley (Fr.), Nick Sherman (So.)

This room is likely Alabama's deepest and best room entering 2026. The Crimson Tide returns its key starters from last season in Brown, Hubbard, and Sabb, and Morgan and Lee started games for the Crimson Tide. As is the case with inside linebacker, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack loves to rotate in the secondary, and he should when you look at the talent in the room. We got a glimpse of where guys stand in this room on A-Day, with Hubbard and Brown not participating in the scrimmage after being limited all spring. In their places were Red Morgan (cornerback) and Mercer transfer Carmelo O'Neal (safety). We've already seen Taylor and Mincey working with Alabama's starters last season, with how often Wommack rotates in the secondary, and both have earned praise this spring from coaches and veterans alike. We also saw flashes from other players, including junior safety Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. (feel old yet?), who had an interception during A-Day, and freshman cornerback Jorden Edmonds, who already looks like he could be a starter in the SEC. Freshman safety Jireh Edwards also saw reps with the first-team defense late in the scrimmage after getting reps with the first-team during Alabama's second scrimmage two weeks ago. The secondary has an embarrassment of riches, and if Alabama can figure out a rotation, it should be one of the top units in college football this season. And with the talent level in the room, even when Alabama loses multiple starters to the NFL next offseason, the Crimson Tide's secondary should still be set up for success in 2027.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.