Kane Wommack identifies players who can create pressure off the edge

Getting to the quarterback has seemingly never been a problem for Alabama in recent history. Ranking within the top three in the SEC for sacks in each of the last four seasons with the conference’s individual sack leader in the last three seasons. But will they be able to maintain that standard following the retirement of head coach and defensive mastermind Nick Saban?

Former South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack has taken over the reins of Alabama’s defense, and during fall camp, he was asked about how the Crimson Tide defense will create pressure on passers this upcoming season.

“I think you look at pressure a number of different ways, right?” Wommack asked. “Some of it is just natural, can we go four-down and be able to create pressure on the quarterback off the edge. And we are very focused on takeaways here, and creating takeaways. And you create takeaways by creating pressure on the quarterback.”

“We looked at all 751 takeaways in the NFL last season and out of those, the vast majority of them come from the pressure on the quarterback. Whether they hit the quarterback, got hands on the quarterback, or they were able to put him in an uncomfortable position to where he forced to throw.”

Wommack and the Crimson Tide clearly have been doing their diligence this offseason in preparation for the 2024 season. Which has even included several meetings with Saban as he’s transitioned to taking over the defense. A unit that he believes can maintain the standard in causing havoc in the backfield through several impact players.

“And so for us, I think we’ve got some guys naturally that can do that off the edge, to me, Jah-Marien Latham, LT Overton. I think I’ve seen a lot out of that wolf room right now, I think Keanu Koht, Qua Russaw, Que Robinson are doing some great things,” Wommack added. “And then you’ve got some younger guys like Yhonzae Pierre that are starting to step up, Keon Keeley off the edge to the field, and Jordan Renaud.”

In Wommack’s 4-2-5 ‘Swarm’ defensive scheme, pressure can be created beyond the traditional edge rushers like Will Anderson and Dallas Turner seen in recent history. Creating plenty of opportunities for disruption beyond defensive lineman with their hands in the ground.

“I’ve really been pleased with some of the rush that we’ve been able to create, and then naturally, our backers and safeties have a lot of instinctive blitz awareness. We look for that whenever we’re recruiting players,” Wommack explained. “Does a guy, a second-level player, have great blitz awareness? And I think naturally we have that from a couple of more safeties and backers.”

It will be intriguing to see which players headline Alabama’s front seven this upcoming season in a new scheme with several new faces. And more importantly, if the Crimson Tide can uphold the high expectations set before them by a strong group of elite defenses.