What we saw from Bandits, defensive line at Alabama football practice

Consistency has been the word of Alabama football’s preseason camp. If you ask coach Kalen DeBoer, nobody embodied it better early than the defensive line.

“I think that position group has been the most consistent,” DeBoer said Sunday. “I like where they’re at.”

He saw it defend the run well and put pressure on the quarterback consistently.

“They’re just around, making the quarterback back there have to move around and make some plays,” DeBoer said.

AL.com wanted to go take a look at what DeBoer was talking about. So, at the latest media practice viewing, we watched the defensive line for about 25 minutes of individual position drills. Here’s what we saw on Tuesday.

Alabama football practice observations: Defensive line

• Watching some positions go through drills can provide an indication of the pecking order. That was only somewhat the case with the defensive line. Veterans who figure to be leaders in the rotation such as Tim Keenan III and Jah-Marien Latham often took their reps early in drills. But there really didn’t seem to be an exact order. It changed from one drill to the next.
• Speaking of Keenan, it’s clear he’s a leader at the position. He frequently went first through drills. And there’s a reason for it. He explained after practice: “It’s easy to fuss at a guy if he doesn’t know,” Keenan said. “But if you (are) fussing at him and I went first, I always like to lead by example, especially if a guy doesn’t know. Yeah you can have a motor and go and everything but you have to have the right technique, you have to know the right information, you have to have the right steps and what not. Me being the older guy, just stepping up and being that example.”
• Keenan was a starter on the defensive line in 2023 and he figures to be one again this season at defensive tackle. Here’s what Freddie Roach, the defensive line coach, said about Keenan: “He’s been remarkable. Ever since last year. The kid comes to work, he tries to lead. He does what he’s asking other people to do. He’s one of the best guys we’ve got on this team as well.”
• Keenan had a nice rep on one of the last drills reporters saw; he swatted down a dummy like he was rushing the passer, and one coach yelled an emphatic “yes!” as Keenan completed the drill.

• LT Overton and Latham seemed to give Roach a few reps he liked; In a drill where two teammates locked up and one pushed the other back then ripped through, Roach said “good reps.”
• Overton and Latham are two of the top options at Bandit, a new term in defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s defense. It’s essentially a hybrid defensive lineman/edge rusher.
• Keon Keeley is another Bandit option on the roster. The coaching staff moved him from outside linebacker to Bandit in the spring because “as you see what Keon is developing into and may develop into at the next level, that’s more of a better fit for him,” Wommack said Tuesday.
• It’s been a process for Keeley to move to Bandit. That process could be seen through the individual drills. Several moments throughout the viewing period, Roach took a moment to instruct and coach up Keeley on technique.
• Roach on Keeley: “Like I told him, ‘You just focus on what it’s going to take you to be successful, alright?’ And at that point it’s his eyes, his hand placement, his footwork, ‘What do I have on assignments?’ And that’s every guy in the room, not just Keon.”
• It’s clear the potential is there for Keeley, the former five-star recruit in the 2023 class. He was the No. 2 prospect in the entire class, per the 247Sports Composite. Roach will just need to continue helping Keeley develop and become more comfortable in his new position.
• Roach is a teacher, plain and simple. He’s constantly instructing and providing feedback. He brings serious energy to his coaching.
• Roach looks like he could still play, even though it’s been almost 20 years since he was a four-year letterman at linebacker at Alabama.
• “Pad level!” became a frequent refrain for Roach as he demanded his players stay low out of their stances.

• It wasn’t easy for the big men to stay low with it almost 90 degrees at only about 9:30 a.m., but Roach harped on it nonetheless.
• Nearby, training staff members stood at the ready with water bottles, cold towels and more. Several linemen took full advantage, grabbing the towels in the black cart filled with ice water.
• Roach: “Look, I know it’s hot, they’re tired, and I get it. But the habits you create throughout the week is what’s going to come up on Saturdays when you play.”
• It’s clear there’s good experienced depth on the defensive line. There will likely be a handful of “or” starters in the rotation with the likes of Latham, Overton, Keenan, Jehiem Oatis, Tim Smith and James Smith some of the top contenders for playing time.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.