College Football: Top 25 breakout players for 2016

The Alabama defensive line lost two talented playmakers in A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed this offseason. However, they will be replaced by a more athletic lineman in Da’Shawn Hand.

Hand is a former top recruit in the 2014 class. According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, Hand was the No. 5 recruit behind Leonard Fournette, Myles Garrett, Jabrill Peppers and Cam Robinson. All of whom have became stars in college football. That bodes very well for Hand to form into a star in 2016.

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound junior had 6.5 tackles for loss in a rotational role last year. And with Hand becoming a full-time starter for the Crimson Tide, Alabama should continue their defensive dominance in the front seven in 2016.

Hand is seen to be even better than Robinson was and last year, Robinson tallied 48 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. So say hello to Alabama’s next great defensive lineman.

Next: Jacob Eason