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Basically ... The defense wasn't lousy last year, but it wasn't a killer giving up way too many yards and touchdowns through the air while getting pushed around a little bit against the run. This isn't a big defense with too many safety-sized linebackers and cornerback-sized safeties, but the group can move. Health will be the key as the D can't afford any major injuries.
Star of the defense: Junior LB DeMeco Ryans
Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore CB Ramzee Robinson
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore DT Jeremy Clark
Best pro prospect: Senior DT Anthony Bryant
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Ryans, 2) CB Charlie Peprah, 3) Bryant
Strength of the defense: Linebackers
Weakness of the defense: Pass coverage
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Todd Bates, Sr. - After missing all of last year testing positive for ephedra, the once-promising prospect gets another season to show his stuff replacing Antwan Odom. He'll get
the first look on the left side after a strong spring.
- Defensive tackle Jeremy Clark, Soph. - A big-time tackle prospect, Clark got a decent amount of playing time making 23 tackles and two sacks in the middle starting in seven games. Look for
him to quickly become a big-time player.
- Defensive tackle Anthony Bryant, Sr. - Tremendously strong, Bryant provides a 330+ pound rock in the middle of the line. He made 44 tackles last year and should end up on many All-SEC lists
if he continues to improve.
- Defensive end Mark Anderson, Jr. - Anderson should provide some key experience and athleticism to a thin group of ends. He's a lanky player with decent quickness and some experience starting
the last five games of last year.
Projected Backups
- DE Chris Harris, Soph. - A speed rusher, Harris didn't do much of anything in his freshman season. He could be the weak link in the line if he doesn't come through with a big year.
- DT Dominic Lee, Soph. - The 302-pound bowling ball saw a decent amount of action as a true freshman making nine tackles. He'll back up Bryant.
The Skinny: Like most of the rest of the Tide, the defensive line is strong on potential though easy on experience. The tackles are relatively unknown, but they're good enough to be
dominating. There's little to no proven depth on the ends.
Player to keep an eye on: Jeremy Clark ...Defensive Line Rating: 6.5
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Juwan Garth, Soph. - A 208-pound athlete on the weak side, Garth was an All-Freshman player making 62 tackles with two sacks, two interceptions and three broken up passes. He's a bit more
suited to safety, but he's strong enough to play on the front seven.
- Cornelius Wortham, Sr. - Wortham missed all of last year with an elbow injury dislocating it in fall practice, and his return gives the Tide more experience to an already strong corps. He
beat out Freddie Roach in the middle and if needed, could take over one of the outside jobs. He made 95 tackles in 2002.
- DeMeco Ryans, Jr. - Ryans quietly had one of the best seasons of any SEC linebacker leading the Tide with 126 stops. An All-Academic performer, Ryans is a smart, talented player on the strong
side. He made a whopping 25 tackles against Arkansas last year and should be among the league leaders in stops again.
Projected Backups
- Freddie Roach, Jr. - Roach is one of the SEC's rising middle linebacker stars with 148 tackles in his first two seasons. He has decent speed with a tremendous nose for the ball and for
getting to the quarterback. He's quickly growing into the leader of the defense.
- Terrence Jones, Soph. - After playing in every game as a true freshman, Jones and his tremendous speed will be asked to play more of a role on the strong side backing up Ryans. He isn't big,
but his wheels more than make up for it..
The Skinny: With Wortham's return, this could quietly end up being one of the SEC's best group of linebackers with a little more work. Ryans and Roach are each going to hover around the
100 tackle mark, while Garth and Wortham should each have big years. There isn't a lot of size among the backups employing the equivalent of safeties at linebacker.
Player to keep an eye on: Juwan Garth ... Linebacker Rating: 8
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Ramzee Robinson, Soph. - Still learning on the fly, Robinson became a dependable backup corner in his redshirt freshman season. He's a good tackler and a decent pass defender when
picked on.
- Strong safety Charlie Peprah, Jr. - A rock in the secondary, Peprah has started 21 straight games making four interceptions last year and 69 tackles. He's a dangerous player with the ball in
his hands making big plays after pickoffs. He broke up a team high 14 passes last year.
- Free safety Roman Harper, Jr. - After seeing time as a strong safety, Harper will most likely hold down the full-time spot at his more natural free safety spot. He has grown into a dependable
and sure tackling defensive back making 111 stops last year, but there's still room for improvement when the ball is in the air. He's strong at getting into the backfield.
- Cornerback Anthony Madison, Sr. - He didn't quite have the season Peprah had, but he was decent on the other side and should be strong with a year of starting experience under his belt. He
only picked off one pass and broke up three passes, so there's room for bigger numbers and more production.
Projected Backups
- FS Thurman Ward, Sr. - Part receiver, part defensive back, Ward will most likely end up as a backup safety with experience needed in the secondary.
- SS Carlos Andrews, Sr. - He's not all that big, but he'll have to play huge as the only non-returning starter to the secondary. Andrews has a bit of experience making 22 tackles last year.
The Skinny: After a rocky 2003, this could be a strong secondary with three starters returning. The key will be consistency at strong safety as Harper and Ward have to shine. The corners
are good, but not out-of-this-world and need to make more plays and pick off more passes. Peprah is very good, and he has the potential to become an elite player. The coaching staff did some
shuffling in spring ball moving Peprah to safety and Robinson to cornerback, so expect tons of tinkering as the year goes on.
Player to keep an eye on: Ramzee Robinson ... Secondary Rating: 7
Special Teams
- Placekicker Brian Bostick, Sr. - A decent kicker with good range, Bostick hit 10 of 15 field goals from 39 yards and in, and was 6 of 10 from beyond the 40. He got two kicks blocked and
missed four extra points, but he's a reliable kicker and should be a strength if he's more consistent than he was this spring..
- Punter Bo Freelend, Sr. - The 257-pound senior has a serious leg, but he didn't really air that many out in games averaging 40.8 yards per kick with a top kick of 59 yards.
The Skinny: you know things are fine when the biggest concern is over the loss of a long snapper. Bostock and Freelend aren't spectacular, but they're good enough to not have to worry
about the kicking game. Tyrone Prothero and Brandon Brooks are promising kick returners.
Special Teams Rating: 7.5
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