Alabama football: Defensive line ready to ‘bring the energy’ in 2023

Alabama football’s defensive line has the potential to be one of the team’s better units during the 2023 season.

The Crimson Tide lost talent throughout the defense after the 2022 campaign, from linebacker Will Anderson to safety Jordan Battle.The line wasn’t an exception, with DJ Dale and Byron Young both gone.

Still, the Crimson Tide return two starters in Tim Smith and Jaheim Oatis, and Justin Eboigbe is back after suffering a neck injury last year.

On Friday, Eboigbe explained the line’s mentality before the second day of preseason camp practice.

“Every day, realizing that you have to bring the energy and it starts with us as far as like we’re the first line of defense,” Eboigbe said. “Generally how well a team does is how well they do in the trenches. The biggest thing for us is being physical, everybody being on the same page knowing what to do, flying around and being collective as a unit as far as being one of the most talked about defensive lines in the country.”

Eboigbe was on the Outland Trophy watch list last season before his injury. Smith started seven games and appeared in all 13, tallying 20 tackles with two sacks.

Oatis could have a huge season and has continued to grind after losing around 100 pounds during his time at Alabama. Eboigbe praised the sophomore, who now is listed at 328 pounds.

“I think the biggest thing is the weight transformation,” Eboigbe said of the biggest difference in Oatis from his first year to now. “The commitment towards that and the commitment towards each and every day of trying to get better. That’s each and everyone in that group. Whether you [were] here last year or you just came in the spring — I feel like just each and every day stacking upon days and Jaheim has done that”

Nick Saban and company also stocked up on young defensive line talent. The 2023 recruiting class included 247Sports composite five-star James Smith, along with four-stars Hunter Osborne and Edric Hill.

Eboigbe said he and his veteran teammates are helping bring the youngsters along.

“Whether it be us learning, them learning plays, or me sitting down [with them] or them sitting down with a coach,” Eboigbe said. “Whether it be staying after practice, hitting the bags or actually walking through the plays. I feel like once you learn the plays, you have a chance to play fast — that’s the biggest thing.

“The same way they play fast and physical in high school, and now they have to learn a new system — you’ll be able to play the same way [here] once you learn what to do so you don’t have to second guess your movements and stuff like that.”

Alabama is scheduled to continue camp through Aug. 26. The Crimson Tide opens the season against Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 2 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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