Alabama Football: Projected post-spring 2019 depth chart
Defensive Line
DE
- Raekwon Davis (SR)
- Christian Barmore (RS FR)
- Antonio Alfano (FR)
NT
- D.J. Dale (FR)
- Phidarian Mathis (RS SO)
- Tevita Musika (SR) OR Ishmael Sopsher (FR)
DE
- LaBryan Ray (JR)
- Stephon Wynn Jr. (RS FR) OR Justin Eboigbe (FR)
- Byron Young (FR) OR King Mwikuta (FR)
Perhaps the position group everyone was watching the closest during the spring was the defensive line. It was imperative that Alabama develop some quality depth, with young players taking strides to show they could be in the rotation in 2019. From that perspective, spring should be considered a rousing success.
With Quinnen Williams and Isaiah Buggs gone, Alabama had to replace two of its three starters up front after having little depth behind them last season. The defensive line was a major focal point of Saban’s recruiting efforts with the 2019 class, and he landed numerous talented players who could contribute early.
On the ends, Alabama got a big boost from Raekwon Davis’s decision to return for his senior year instead of entering the draft. Davis will shoulder some of the leadership burden for the group, along with hopefully picking up his production after a mostly disappointing junior campaign. Having more players behind him capable of taking snaps should help him stay fresher.
On the other side, junior LaBryan Ray has seized the starting role left behind by Buggs as expected. Ray was one of the few quality backups the Tide had last year, and could be in line for a breakout 2019.
At defensive tackle, freshman D.J. Dale surprised by taking the job away from expected starter Phidarian Mathis. Dale enrolled early and wasted little time in clawing his way up the depth chart. Not many freshmen early enrollees have started a spring game at Alabama. Dale did that.
The depth behind the starters is composed of nearly all freshmen or sophomores. Mathis could contribute inside or outside, and will likely be the top backup off the bench. Christian Barmore and Stephon Wynn Jr. have the ability to play anywhere up front, too, and both showed some major strides during the spring.
Freshmen Justin Eboigbe and Antonio Alfano have a ton of talent, with each flashing potential during practices.
Defensive tackle could still be an area of concern behind Dale. Senior Tevita Musika has shown little in the way of development, so all eyes will be on incoming freshman Ishmael Sopsher when he arrives in the summer to compete for playing time.
While it’s still a concern, the young guys helped alleviate some of the worries about the position group with really strong springs.