Next Steps For Alabama’s Defense in 2025

Tuscaloosa, Ala. - The Alabama defense took a major step forward in 2024, with its highest ranking since Jeremy Pruitt was the defensive coordinator in 2017. Alabama finished as a top-10 defense, allowing just 17.4 points and 320.1 yards per game while forcing the fourth-most takeaways in college football.

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Despite the overall success, the Crimson Tide defense, led by second-year defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, felt like it left some to be desired on the field in 2024. When asked about his 2024 defense, Wommack thought about what went wrong in 2024.

What is he hoping to see from his team in 2025? "A sense of urgency," Wommack said.

"I don't think it was malicious by anybody from a standpoint of maybe you have a good day here, you're focused here, or walking into this game vs. that game," Wommack said. "But when you have success, it should breed a sense of urgency to create more success for you. And I don't think we handled success well as a team, collectively, and I think that hurt us on the field. It obviously hurt us on the field."

Despite the high ranking from the Tide's defense, in the four losses (Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Michigan), the Tide's defense allowed 26.8 points per game and over 335 yards per game.

What is the next step for Alabama in 2025?

"There was more for us to be able to give," Wommack said. "I think the players see the vision. The older guys in particular see the vision of where we're headed."

The "older guys" include a nucleus of LT Overton, Keon Sabb and Deontae Lawson, which Alabama was able to retain from going to the NFL draft, including Domani Jackson and Tim Keenan III.

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_.