Alabama football is looking to elevate its defensive performance after a season that saw them create turnovers but fail to rank among the elite in college football. Despite finishing in the middle of the pack nationally across various categories, the Crimson Tide”s defensive coordinator, Kane Wommack, remains passionate about restoring the dominance that defined the program under former head coach Nick Saban.
Although Alabama returns several starters, including a highly talented secondary, questions remain about whether they can emerge as the premier defense in college football. Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, speaking on “The Dynasty” podcast, pinpointed two critical areas where the Tide must improve to attain elite status this fall.
In the 2025 season, Alabama ranked No. 54 among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools in sacks, totaling 33 with an average of just 2.2 per game. Yhonzae Pierre led the team with eight sacks, but McCarron believes the Tide must identify a standout pass rusher or develop innovative strategies to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Furthermore, Alabama”s performance in tackles for loss was also subpar, finishing at No. 55 with 86 total and averaging 5.7 per matchup. McCarron stressed the need for the team to enhance its ability to pressure quarterbacks and to bolster its run defense, which has been a significant concern for Wommack.
Last season, Alabama allowed 238 first downs, with 105 coming from rushing plays. They ranked 37th against the run, conceding 126.9 yards per game and 17 touchdowns. McCarron considers this a glaring issue that needs immediate attention. “You have to be able to stop the run,” he stated. “They struggled really, really badly with it late in the year. When you make it that late in the season, you have to be able to stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback. If you can do those two things, then you are going to be successful. They have to find that this year.”
As Alabama prepares for the upcoming season, fans will be eager to see if the team can address these critical defensive challenges and improve upon last year”s performance.
