Young Defenders to Watch for Alabama in 2025

Alabama's defense is always loaded with talent. From Dont'a Hightower to CJ Mosley, to Minkah Fitzpatrick and Pat Surtain, to Will Anderson Jr. and Jihaad Campbell. The Alabama defense will almost always have a future first-round pick lurking on that side of the ball.

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Several have had to wait their turn, including Alabama's most recent first-rounder, Jihaad Campbell. The key to spotting future first-rounders on the Alabama bench is the flashes of talent they display when they do see the field, and last season, you saw those flashes from three defenders: Qua Russaw, Yhonzae Pierre, and Red Morgan.

On Wednesday, at SEC Media Days, Alabama's Deontae Lawson and Kadyn Proctor were asked about those three defenders.

"For Qua, I remember a play yesterday where he shot off the ball on me outside of the tight end," Proctor said. "It's just hard getting to that guy. That's just how he is. He's a fast, strong, powerful guy. You never know what he's going to do. Great hands, great feet. Powerful guy. He's a strong dude. That's what I want to highlight about him. He's about business, also."

Russaw started 12 games for Alabama last season as the Tide's leader at the Wolf position. In his 12 starts, he totaled 36 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, one sack, and one forced fumble. He'll look to add a violent pass rush to his skill set as he enters his redshirt sophomore season.

Lawson was asked about Pierre and Morgan.

"Yhonzae, he's grown into that edge rusher that you want," Lawson said. "He's gaining weight. I think about 250 now, or something like that. He's working hard every day. I think he's establishing himself a role, and I think that's good because once you find that role, you just attack it full steam and you're ready to go."

Pierre played in 11 games for Alabama last season as a rotational player at Wolf. In 11 games, he totaled six tackles, two pass breakups, and one tackle for loss.

"And Red Morgan moved to corner. Definitely got some learning still to do. But giving it everything he's got every day and coming to work every day, and trying to learn as much as he can.

"Red's a freak athlete. He has all the tools to be a great player. It's now just developing into more of a scheme-type of player and doing what's best for the team. He's attacking that full head-on."

Morgan played in 12 games for the Tide last season. He totaled eight tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup.

"I'm excited for both of them and their future," Lawson said.

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Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.