Alabama

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

Published

2 years ago

August 7, 2024

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.

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Alabama

Alabama AHSAA softball key dates and top teams approaching the 2026 playoffs

Published

7 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

Alabama AHSAA softball key dates and top teams approaching the 2026 playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Alabama’s AHSAA softball playoffs are just around the corner with three of the state’s top teams ranked in the national Top 15.

The No. 5 Orange Beach [AL] Makos, No. 10 Thompson [Alabaster, AL] Warriors, and No. 15 Wetumpka [AL] Indians are all ranked in the most recent edition of the MaxPreps Top 50 with the start of Alabama’s postseason less than two weeks away.

Orange Beach was previously ranked No. 1 before losing to the South Warren [Bowling Green, KY] Spartans last week. Both teams were undefeated going into the contest, and the Barbers Hill [Mt. Belvieu, TX] Eagles took the Makos’ place at the top of the rankings following the loss.

WATCH: ALABAMA AHSAA SOFTBALL ON THE NFHS NETWORK

Key dates for the Alabama AHSAA softball playoffs

DATE	PLAYOFF DEADLINES
5/1-5/26 Advertisement	Area Tournaments
5/11-14/26	Regional Tournaments
5/18-22/26	State Tournaments Advertisement

National Top 50 contenders by classification

Alabama’s three nationally-ranked teams all compete in different classifications.

Class 7A

The Thompson Warriors are 34-1-2, and they compete in the AHSAA’s top-level Class 7A ranks. The team’s only loss is to the No. 15 Wetumpka Indians in a 3-2 setback on April 3.

Class 6A

Wetumpka is 34-5, and as noted above, they are the only team to beat Thompson so far.

Class 4A

Orange Beach is the state’s top-ranked team despite competing at the AHSAA’s Class 4A level. Their loss to South Warren of Kentucky in a 6-1 setback on April 9 ended a 45-game win streak at the time. The Makos had only allowed 25 runs all season prior to the relative outburst by the Spartans.

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Alabama edge to pattern his game after 2-time Super Bowl Champ

Published

19 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Alabama edge to pattern his game after 2-time Super Bowl Champ

Photo comes via Rodger Champion of Alabama athletics

How electric could Alabama football be on defense this season?

Alabama edge updates development of 4-star inside linebacker

The answer comes down to how many players Kane Wommack can produce to affect opposing quarterbacks in the pocket.

He returns Yhonzae Pierre, a fourth-year edge rusher, following a season where he collected eight sacks (team-high), 14.5 tackles for loss (team-high), nine quarterback hurries (team-high), and three forced fumbles. Pierre will draw much attention from offensive coaches; however, the Crimson Tide has a sophomore ready to help him on the outside.

Justin Hill, a former four-star from Cincinnati, Ohio, has made it his mission to become a complete pass rusher.

Alabama edge Justin Hill (#8) is modeling his game after a former two-time Suer Bowl Champion.

3/25/25 MFB Spring Practice
Alabama Linebacker Justin Hill (8)
Photo by Kent Gidley

He provided some excitement in 15 games last year, posting 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup.

Former 4-star edge “will stand out” at Alabama in 2026 season, per Yhonzae Pierre

Who is Justin Hill modeling his game after?

The 6-foot-3, 244-pounder had a good spring, and the coaching staff looks at him as someone that brings speed, power, and edge-bending abilities to harass quarterbacks. Hill mentioned to reporters after A-Day that he wants to ‘go through’ quarterbacks in generating pressure.

He also wants to pattern his game after a former two-time Super Bowl Champion.

Hill detailed the former two-time Butkus Award winner he’s emulating.

“I am watching guys like Von Miller,” Hill said. “I’m watching a lot of speed to power guys.”

Hill stated Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos as another National Football League pass rusher he is studying. Bonitto has 37 sacks and 44 tackles for loss in four seasons with the Broncos – including a career-high 14 sacks in 2025.

Miller is one of the greatest pass rushers in the history of the league. He has 138.5 career sacks, including seven seasons with 10-plus sacks.

Miller has two Super Bowl rings, a Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honor, three first-team All-Pro honors, eight Pro Bowl nods, and is on the NFL’s 2010 All-Decade Team.

Hill learned to ‘cut it loose’ as an edge rusher from Pierre, so the combination of that and studying film on Miller should prepare him to be a force in the fall.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama.
He is a seasoned writer that has covered Alabama football for Touchdown Alabama Magazine since 2009. Smith has extensive knowledge within the program, which has made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Throughout his career, Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

Published

1 day ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.

Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.

“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.

Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.

“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”

The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.

The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.

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