Pete Golding identifies who can develop as interior pass rushers at defensive tackle

Usually, when you’re thinking of Alabama on defense, the interior defensive line is never in question. Over the years, Nick Saban has put countless guys at the position in the NFL by developing them into collegiate stars. But this season, he and defensive coordinator Pete Golding will have some decisions to make when it comes to playing time.

Golding was asked about his defensive line when giving a rare press conference and more specifically, with the pass rush. He named a few guys who have impressed him early, including freshman Jaheim Oats. Since arriving in Tuscaloosa, the youngster has shed a ton of weight and gotten into great shape. So much so that Golding and his staff have taken notice.

“It’s early, we just put pads on yesterday,” Golding said. “But I think between Jamil Burroughs — I think he’s got some twist in there. Byron (Yong) obviously. We leave DJ (Dale) in there. DJ has been an every down player for us right now. Knows what to do, gives great effort. Believe it or not, Jaheim has a lot more wiggle than y’all are going to think he’s got. He’s a guy internally that if you leave one guy on him, good luck. We’ll package that.”

Of course, Will Anderson and Dallas Turner will be on the outside but the inside guys will be critical to success as well. Golding seems confident in the guys he has at his disposal, reading to create havoc among SEC offensive lines all season.

Pete Golding gets more technical discussing pass rushers

Golding then got into the specifics when talking about Alabama’s pass-rushing philosophy. Moving players in between the tackle and guard are the strategy when it comes to third down but there’s something the Crimson Tide will never waver from. The goal will always be getting the four best pass rushers on the field, no matter their technical position.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that would normally be 5-techniques in a 4-2 system but when you get to third down, you bump them into the 3-techniques and get those guys one on one,” Golding said. “It doesn’t matter on third down. If you’re going to rush four guys, who your four best pass rushers?

“I don’t give a **** if you call them outside linebacker, defensive line, or inside linebackers. Let’s get them four guys to rush and put them where we need to put them.”