Nick Saban discusses development of Christian Harris, Phidarian Mathis

Alabama head coach Nick Saban doesn’t boast a top-20 defense so far in 2021 but he does have several true stars anchoring the group.

Led by edge Will Anderson, one of 18 Bednarik Award semifinalists, Christian Harris, Phidarian Mathis and Henry To’oTo’o, the Bama defense has held opponents to 20.6 points per game through Week 9.

Nick Saban discussed Christian Harris and Phidarian Mathis’s development ahead of the Week 10 game versus LSU.

“Christian has played well for us this year,” Saban said. “I think that he’s been a very good player, he’s very athletic. I think he has improved dramatically from a year ago to this year. He has had a really good attitude about what he’s trying to accomplish.”

Harris, a junior out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, earned a spot on the semifinalist list for the Butkus Award. The award goes to the nation’s best linebacker at the end of the season. Through the Tide’s 7-1 start, Harris has 42 tackles (23 solo) and two sacks.

Stopping up the holes in front of Christian Harris all season is Phidarian Mathis. The senior has 27 tackles, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble through Week 10 but Nick Saban addressed his ability to lead, more than his ability to get after the quarterback.

“Phil’s done a really good job, he has stepped up as a leader, he sets a good example,” Saban said. “He’s confident enough in himself and his maturity to challenge other players to do the same and I think that has benefitted us tremendously.”

Saban updates Drew Sanders’ status

With the Alabama Crimson Tide coming off of the bye week, Nick Saban provided several injury updates, including a positive update on linebacker Drew Sanders.

“Drew will start practicing this week,” Saban said Monday. “They’re going to do further x-rays to see how he’s healed.”

Alabama fans have been anxiously waiting to see Sanders back on the field this season. The sophomore has been out since the Ole Miss game on Oct. 2, but it sounds like he’s inching closer to full strength.

If that happens, he could be available against LSU on Saturday.

“I think there’s some possibility,” Saban said on Thursday of the bye week. “The technology in medicine right now is like unbelievable, and they can really tell whether his wrist and thumb and all that is healed properly so he won’t get reinjured and get a setback.”

Getting Sanders back would be a nice boost for Alabama’s defense. Before his hand injury, the sophomore was proving to be a steady, all-around threat opposite Will Anderson. He was effective stopping the run, in coverage and showed the ability to get after the quarterback. Through Week 9, in five games played, the Denton, Texas, native has 20 tackles (10 solo).