Alabama Awarded Top 5 Defense by EA

Alabama's seen high-level turnover from season to season on the defensive side of the football before. Under Nick Saban, it seemed like Alabama put multiple defenders in the first round of the NFL every year.

What is the difference between those years of turnover and this year? Alabama had Nick Saban coaching the defense and patrolling the sideline. Now, Nick Saban is on a golf course and in the broadcast booth, not on the sideline of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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Alabama lost two first-round picks in Dallas Turner and Terrion Arnold, two second-round picks in Chris Braswell and Kool-Aid McKinstry, and two more starters in Justin Eboigbe and Jaylen Key to the NFL. Alabama also lost a future first-round caliber safety in Caleb Downs to Ohio State in the transfer portal.

Alabama also lost its defensive coordinator, secondary coach, inside linebacker coach, and outside linebacker coach.

Kevin Steele, the defensive coordinator, retired just before the start of the CFP National Championship on January 8, Travaris Robinson became the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Georgia, Robert Bala became the inside linebackers coach at Washington, and Coleman Hutzler was hired as the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State.

The only returning defensive coach from the 2023 team is Freddie Roach, the defensive line coach.

For EA, that doesn't matter.

They ranked Kane Wommack's crew as a top-five unit in college football, coming in at a 90 overall.

Alabama will have new faces on the defense this season, but potentially its highest-rated defender, Malachi Moore, is a veteran in Tuscaloosa. Other players that are likely rated highly include Deontae Lawson, Jihaad Campbell, Keon Sabb, and Tim Keenan.

The full list of top 10 defenses in EA Sports College Football 25:

1. Ohio State - 96 overall.
2. Georgia - 94 overall.
3. Oregon - 90 overall.
4. Alabama - 90 overall.
5. Clemson - 90 overall.
6. Notre Dame - 90 overall.
7. Michigan - 90 overall.
8. Texas - 88 overall.
9. Penn State - 88 overall.
10. Utah - 88 overall.

Other SEC teams appearing in the top 25:

12. Oklahoma - 88 overall.
17. Auburn - 86 overall.
18. LSU - 84 overall
19. Texas A&M - 84 overall.
25. Florida - 84 overall.

Wyatt Fulton is the Brand Manager and DME for Tide 100.9, serving as an on-air host from 11:00 a.m. to noon CT every weekday and Sports Reporter covering Alabama Football and Alabama Men's Basketball. For more coverage, follow him at @FultonW_ on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.