Alabama Football: 5 takeaways from 2019 A-Day Game

4. Spring was fruitful for Alabama’s DL depth

A big goal for the spring was to build as much depth as possible on the defensive line. If A-Day was any indication, then that mission was accomplished for Saban and new defensive coordinator Pete Golding.

Senior Raekwon Davis and junior LaBryan Ray were the known commodities, but if Alabama’s defensive line was going to take a step forward in 2019, they would need some of the young guys and incoming freshmen to make immediate impacts.

True freshman defensive tackle D.J. Dale turned heads throughout the spring, and he started at the nose for the Crimson Tide in his first A-Day game, surpassing redshirt sophomore Phidarian Mathis who was long expected to be the starter.

Mathis looked good in his own right working with the twos, giving Alabama at least two quality options on the defensive line. A pair of guys who redshirted last year – Christian Barmore and Stephon Wynn – also put together strong performances on Saturday.

Freshmen Justin Eboigbe and Antonio Alfano also flashed their potential. If they can continue developing, and take another leap from spring to fall like they did during the spring, then Alabama might have the quality depth up front on defense that was a major concern coming into 2019.

The defensive line won the battle with the offensive line on both sides of the ball, with the Tide managing just 45 rushing yards on the day.