Sports Illustrated
5x5: The Best Alabama Defensive Ends During the Nick Saban Era
This is going to come across as a little crazy, but you know how for years Mike Leach didn't have any tight ends on his roster because he didn't really think they were worth it unless they were so good the player was a mismatch nightmare? Maybe the Alabama Crimson Tide should have a similar approach at defensive end.
Perhaps it already does.
Think about it for a moment. Nick Saban utilizes a scheme that has three linemen up front, with the fourth person putting his hand down the Jack, a hybrid end/linebacker position that requires someone to be able to rush the passer and also drop back into coverage. That means the other three spots are really like a nose guard, and two "ends" who have to be big enough, and be able to stop the run, who if they play in the NFL almost always end up as interior linemen.
That's just factor one. A second is that most recruits at the position end up at one of those other spots at Alabama, either as a Jack or a defensive tackle, due to the physical nature of those positions, or start out there and switch. For example, Jonathan Allen was initially thought to be an outside linebacker, Tim Williams was an defensive end, and A’Shawn Robinson was recruited by a lot of teams as an offensive tackle.
Another is that of all the position groups, defensive end might be the spot where Alabama's had — for whatever reasons — the fewest guys work out. Remember Eyabi Anoma? How about Antonio Alfano or Alfy Hill?
So think back to all the defensive linemen Alabama has had during the Nick Saban era. Factor out those who were clearly defensive tackles (like Quinnen Williams), and then those who were edge rushers or linebackers (Will Anderson Jr.). Consider who's left.
There's one name who clearly stand outs, and consequently was one of the most decorated players in Crimson Tide history:
The Best Alabama Defensive Ends During the Nick Saban Era
Recruiting
The top 5 defensive end prospects when signing with the Crimson Tide:
- Eyabi Anoma, 2018, .9987
- Da’Shawn Hand, 2014, .9979
- Antonio Alfano, 2019, .9965
- Will Anderson Jr., 2020, .9913
- Chris Braswell, 2020, .9909
Alabama Athletics
The next five:
LaBryan Ray, 2017
Xzavier Dickson, 2011
Khurtiss Perry, 2022
Justin Eboigbe, 2019
Jeoffrey Pagan, 2011
Just missing the top 10 defensive end prospects were Tim Williams and Alfy Hill.
Key Statistic
Single-season tackles for a loss by a defensive lineman (which obviously includes defensive tackles) during the Nick Saban era:
- Wallace Gilberry, 2007, 27.0
- Quinnen Williams, 2018, 18.5
- Jonathan Allen, 2016, 16.0
- Jonathan Allen, 2015, 14.5
- Isaiah Buggs, 2018, 13.5
Special to BamaCentral
The next five:
Phidarian Mathis, 2021, 12.0
Jonathan Allen, 2014, 11.5
Marcell Dareus, 2010, 11.0
Raekwon Davis, 2017, 10.0
Christian Barmore 2020, 9.5
Awards
Normally we list the top award winners for each position, but Jonathan Allen's senior season in 2016 was so impressive he took home the following trophies:
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (outstanding defensive player)
Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player)
Ted Hendricks Award (best defensive end)
Unanimous first team All-American
Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year
All-SEC by the coaches and media
Finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting
Finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Lott IMPACT Trophy, Lombardi Award; Semifinalist for the Maxwell Player of the Year
Allen finished his career ranked second in Alabama history for career sacks with 28.5 behind Derrick Thomas
NFL Draft
Overall
This is the third story in the 5x5 series. Check out:
