Pete Golding provides an overall evaluation of Alabama's experienced 2022 defense

Pete Golding is one of the rare Nick Saban assistants who actually stuck around a while. As of 2022, a half-decade to be precise. And in his fifth year as Alabama defensive coordinator, Golding is fired up by the sheer amount of talent and experience on his defense. He’s ready to exact revenge on the college football world with an old-school Saban-level defense after the end of last season.

At a recent press conference, he raved about the experience and leadership up and down his defense:

“We got leadership at every level of the defense. We got old guys obviously up front in DJ Dale, Byron Young, Justin Eboigbe, that understand the system, understand the expectation and provide leadership to that group,” Golding said. “Obviously, you got Henry [To’oTo’o] back in the inside room, a year of experience in our system and the process here. You got [Jaylen] Moody here, obviously year five, has got some game experience. But more importantly, knows the expectations, and is hungry to earn that starting position.

“And then in the back, with [Jordan] Battle coming back, DeMarcco Hellams coming back. They understand the checks and adjustments; how to practice and what it’s gonna take. This is the first time in five years, I think, at every level, you’ve got experience coming back.”

Though even with all the experience returning, ‘Bama still loaded up on talented youngsters and transfers to bolster the already-stacked unit.

“We’ve obviously added in some new players. Whether it be transfers or freshmen. It’s gonna be our responsibility to get those guys, bring ’em along,” Golding said. “Think they understand after the summer what it takes to compete here. Obviously, from a defensive standpoint, the terminology, what it’s gonna take to not make mental errors on Saturday, which is most important.

“So I like where we’re at. I think the leadership is where it needs to be. We got to continue to develop the bottom of the roster with these young guys.”

Golding then went back to last January, where Georgia had a big night against the Alabama defense. All these returners remember that night fondly, and Pete Golding believes they’re dead set on flipping that script.

“It’s a new year. I think those guys that are in that room, I think they remember the last 15 minutes of football that they played,” Golding said. “And it’s not how we wanted it to be. And the bottom line: we didn’t get it done when we needed to. Didn’t stop the run when we needed to. So I think that’s still in the gut. You know, when they come to work every day, we want them to remember that feeling. It’s gonna be up to us as a unit to prepare the right way so we don’t feel that again.”