Alabama Football: 3 breakout candidates for 2020

If there was one thing the Alabama defense was missing last season it was dominant, elite defensive line play. They did not have that Quinnen Williams, Jonathan Allen type defensive line play.

In the 3-4 defense, the three down linemen are vital for the defense to be effective. The nose tackle has to take on two blockers and stalemate the middle of the offensive line. the defensive ends have to not only eat blockers but have the ability to get to the quarterback.

That’s what the Crimson Tide defense lacked last season. The vast majority of their pass rush came from their outside linebackers. The defensive line was inconsistent and ineffective most of the season.

In defense of their defense, they had issues with injuries all season. Next season, the Crimson Tide defense’s improvement is directly tied to the players returning from injury. One of those players is LaBryan Ray.

Ray is a former five-star recruit who missed most of last season because of injury. He has all of the tools to be the next great defensive lineman in Alabama history. The primary reason he will have a breakout season is that Alabama needs him to have one.

Alabama needs him to be that edge setter against the run and pass rusher. If they only get a mediocre season from Ray, the defensive line will be mediocre.