Alabama Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the first half against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Starting tackle: Da’Ron Payne
Backups: Raekwon Davis/Phidarian Mathis

Da’Ron Payne mans the middle of the a defensive line looking to reload. With the departure of Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson, other guys will have to step up. Look for Payne to be one of those guys.

Payne is a Lombari Award watch list recipient this season. He recorded 36 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and a recovery for a touchdown in 2016.

Behind Payne are Raekwon Davis and Phidarian Mathis. Davis saw action in seven games for the Alabama Crimson Tide defense last season. Mathis is a highly-touted recruit from the state of Louisiana who should see time as a true freshman.

Starting ends: Da’Shawn Hand, Josh Frazier
Backups: Isaiah Buggs, La’Bryan Ray

The recent run-in with the law by Da’Shawn Hand puts his status for the season opener against Florida State. However, Hand is still expected to start unless stated otherwise. If anything, trouble opens the door for junior college transfer Isaiah Buggs to crack the starting lineup.

Buggs is a player hailing from the infamous Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, a junior college that made an appearance on the Netflix series Last Chance U.

Josh Frazier will man the other starting defensive end position. Frazier saw time in 14 games last season as a reserve on the defensive line.

La’Bryan Ray is another true freshman who should see time on the Crimson Tide defensive line. At 6-foot-5, 272 pounds, Ray looks like a beast on paper.

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