Alabama Football: Way-too-early 2022 depth chart projection
![Alabama defensive lineman DJ Dale (94) sacks Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal game at the 86th Cotton Bowl in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.] College Football Playoffs Alabama Vs Cincinnati](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F11c256ede948fbf222946352f06ed3b81acd9d391e8c1108bb79065a0fa73e6a.jpg "Alabama defensive lineman DJ Dale (94) sacks Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal game at the 86th Cotton Bowl in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.] College Football Playoffs Alabama Vs Cincinnati")
Defensive Line
Starting defensive ends: Justin Eboigbe, Byron Young
Backups: Braylen Ingraham, Stephon Wynn Jr.
Starting nose tackle: DJ Dale
Backup: Tim Smith
This is going to be one of the best defensive lines in the country. This unit brings almost everything that you want. Experience, athleticism, and run-stopping ability. This is going to be one of the strengths of the Alabama defense and it is going to be tough for anyone to run on this defense.
It was surprising to see some of these guys come back, but a chance to get another national championship meant more than the NFL. At end, Byron Young and Justin Eboigbe return and are a force to be reckoned with inside. At nose tackle, DJ Dale might be the best run-stopping defensive lineman in the country and is the anchor of the Alabama defense.
The backups are talented and could earn their way on the field at some points during a game. One thing that Alabama certainly never seems to be lacking is versatile defensive linemen and they have plenty of them for 2022.