5x5: The Best Alabama Defensive Tackles During the Nick Saban Era

Five different ways to rate the top players at each position for the Crimson Tide during the greatest dynasty in college football history.

Author:
Christopher Walsh
Publish date:
Jul 22, 2023 2:00 PM EDT

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Alabama Crimson Tide

There are certain positions that the Alabama Crimson Tide is especially known for under Nick Saban.

Well, it used to be that way, as for years no other program produced comparable running backs or linebackers. Nowadays the Crimson Tide can claim to be nearly everything from QBU to DBU, especially with Bryce Young and wide receiver DeVonta Smith having won Heisman Trophies, and Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Surtain II being praised as being the best safety and cornerback, respectively, in the NFL.

But the one constant on the Crimson Tide success, through all of the national championships under Saban, has been the outstanding line play. On the offensive side, Alabama has won the Joe Moore Award for best line twice since the honor was created in 2015. On the defensive side, well, let's just say there's a reason why so many NFL teams have drafted players who played "end" for the crimson and white, to play in the interior at the next level.

You just don't see the same kind of size, speed and talent anywhere else. Maybe a team or two will have a comparable group for a couple of years, but consistently? Nobody has been close.

Consequently, if Alabama makes a championship run during the 2023-24 college football season, the largely-overlooked group on this year's roster (Phil Steele's preseason preview has Alabama's defensive line listed No. 16 in his position group rankings) could be a major reason why. It includes five of the highest rated defensive-tackle prospects Saban's ever had — if you include Jaheim Oatis, who was also recruited as a potential offensive lineman.

If that don't convince you, consider this: How many times have we seen a defensive tackle make a big play in the postseason for Alabama, dating back to Marcell Dareus' crucial interception return for a touchdown against Texas in the 2010 BCS Championship Game?

The Best Alabama Defensive Tackles of the Nick Saban Era

Five different ways to rate the top players at each position for the Crimson Tide during the greatest dynasty in college football history.

Recruiting

The top 5 defensive tackle prospects when signing with the Crimson Tide:

Jesse Williams 2011
James Smith 2023
Daron Payne 2015
Damon Payne Jr. 2021
Tim Smith 2020

The next five ...

Dee Liner 2013
Khurtiss Perry 2022
Monkell Goodwine 2021
Ishmael Sopsher 2019
Joshua Frazier 2014

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jesse Williams (54) warms up before the game against the Missouri Tigers at Farout Field. The Crimson Tide won 42-10. — Denny Medley / USA Today Network

Key Statistic

Only one defensive tackle during the Saban era has led his team in tackles for a loss, Quinnen Williams with 18.5 in 2018. Here are the top seasons by a defensive tackle (with a couple of extra thrown in as some players also lined up at end):

Quinnen Williams, 2018, 18.5
Isaiah Buggs, 2018, 13.5
Phidarian Mathis, 2021, 12.0
Marcell Dareus, 2011, 11.0
Raekwon Davis, 2017, 10.0
Christian Barmore, 2020, 9.5
Marcell Dareus, 2009; and Byron Young, 2021, 9.0

Sacks

Isaiah Buggs, 2018, 9.5
Phidarian Mathis, 2021, 9.0
Raekwon Davis, 2017, 8.5
Ed Stinson,2012, 8.5
Christian Barmore, 2020, 8.0
Quinnen Williams, 2018, 7.0
Marcell Dareus, 2009, 6.5

Raekwon Davis against Tennessee — T.G. Paschal/BamaCentral

Awards

Outland Trophy

Quinnen Williams, 2018

Consensus All-Americans

Terrence Cody, 2008, 2009
A'Shawn Robinson 2015
Quinnen Williams 2018 (unanimous)

NFL Draft

Alabama has had 10 defensive tackles selected in the first two rounds of the NFL draft during the Saban era, easily the most of any college during that span: