DJ Dale explains why this year's defensive line is the deepest he's had at Alabama

The 2022 Alabama football team has high expectations, especially on defense after what Nick Saban called a ‘rebuilding’ year which resulted in a College Football Playoff championship game appearance. With NFL-caliber players at all three levels, the promise for the front seven and the defensive line in particular centers on an incredible amount of depth.

During a recent press conference, DJ Dale broke down why many believe the 2022 group could be Alabama’s deepest defensive line unit yet, offering praise for both young and old players alike.

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“Yeah, I would say so,” said Dale. “Right now it doesn’t matter who’s in. With a lot of older guys, we can play with anyone. Everyone is able to communicate with each other and everybody has a feel for what’s going on. So it really doesn’t matter who’s in. We can have three younger guys in and right now they would all know what to do, they know how to communicate with each other to execute the call.”

The ability to mix and match pieces on the defensive line with a combination of veteran leadership and young talent will make the job of opposing offenses even more difficult as they stare at Will Anderson, Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell on the edge with a number of promising linebackers behind them as well.

DJ Dale on defensive line group

Speaking with the media, DJ Dale continued his evaluation of the unit, praising the young players throughout the room.

“Jaheim Oatis has really been working hard. Isaiah Hastings, Khurtiss Perry — all of them guys are working really hard, and buying into the program,” stated Dale. “I feel like they’ll be really good when the time comes.”

Additionally, Dale spoke about how the interior defensive line is developing this summer, along with the potential the Alabama pass rush as a whole has in 2022.

“Just pushing the pocket,” added Dale. “All of those guys on the outside-backer room are really dynamic, explosive and fast. But rushing together is really going to be the biggest difference. I feel like we’re not going to have anybody rushing as an individual, and I feel like overall that will help our pass rush.”

With a bevy of tremendous quarterbacks littered throughout the SEC, a pass rush will be more important than ever for Alabama. DJ Dale is up for the challenge, and excited to get the season rolling.