Several Alabama edge rushers have flashed this spring, Wommack says

Alabama is tasked with replacing both of its starting edge rushers from last year’s team with Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell both turning pro after the Crimson Tide’s 2023 campaign.

But even though Alabama doesn’t have much experience at that position, the Tide has plenty of potential off the edge, and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack likes what he has seen.

“I think I’ve seen a number of our guys flash right now,” said Wommack after Wednesday’s 10th spring practice. “I think you can point to a guy like (Quandarrius) Robinson, who’s been here a long time. He’s done some really good things. I think he’s continuing to settle into what we’re doing defensively, understanding the scheme. 

“We’re fairly multiple at that position in terms of what we ask that player to do.”

Referred to as the Jack and Sam linebackers in Nick Saban’s defense for the last 17 years, the outside linebackers are now known as the Wolf in Wommack’s 4-2-5 scheme. Robinson is the older player of the bunch as was Alabama’s third outside ‘backer a season ago, but he isn’t the only edge defender who has caught Wommack’s eye two-thirds through the spring.

“I think Keanu Koht has a real burst,” Wommack said. “I think he’s done some special things in pass rush. I’ve been really pleased with Qua Russaw over the last couple of days. And then to me, Yhonzae Pierre has a really special skill set. 

“So I’m pleased with each one of those guys, particularly when it comes to their pass-rush ability. I think we’re moving in the right direction there.”

The Tide welcomed back five edge rushers from last year’s team, but Robinson and Koht were the only two who saw game action. Robinson played in all 14 games and recorded 24 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks before choosing to come back for a fifth season.

Koht was fourth on the depth chart and only played in three games, but he was able to register 1.5 tackles for loss in those appearances. Now a redshirt junior, Koht could take on a larger role at the Wolf spot in Wommack’s defense, and his versatility is something that new position coach Christian Robinson not only covets but saw in his new pupil as a top recruit.

“I know when I was at Florida, I recruited him to possibly be an inside guy,” said Robinson earlier this spring. “He has the skill set to play at the line of scrimmage and off the ball. Those are the type of guys that we’re looking for that can do both, that have the physical presence in the run game as well as the pass-rush ability. He has that.”

All of Alabama’s edge rushers were highly-touted prospects out of high school.

In 2023, the Crimson Tide brought in the top pass-rusher class in the nation when it added three 5-stars with Russaw, Pierre and Keon Keeley. But none of them played last season, and Keeley has been working with the defensive linemen at the Bandit spot this spring, leaving Russaw Pierre and early enrollee Jayshawn Ross to round out the outside ‘backer group. 

UA also added top-100 edge Noah Carter, who had previously signed with Washington before Kalen DeBoer took the job in Tuscaloosa, Ala., but he won’t enroll at UA until the summer.

Russaw had a strong week this week, according to Wommack, and he and Pierre will attempt to not only lock down rotational roles this spring but also contribute on special teams in Year 2 in the program. They received high marks from their new defensive coordinator on Wednesday, as well as Robinson when he was asked about Pierre and Ross earlier this spring.

“I’m excited about those young guys,” Robinson said. “I think with a new defense brings an opportunity to learn from the ground up. Everybody’s learning new. Obviously, the older rooms have a physical presence, reps, game experience. But the young guys, I can maybe get a little bit faster along by just focusing on the basics and taking it step by step.

“Yhonzae being a little bit older and already redshirted, right, you wanna go play. How can you find a role to cut out on special teams and then a role on defense? He has ability. It’s gonna be just taking those steps that maybe the older guys have already taken.

“And with Jayshawn, I’m really excited. He’d already been here for a couple weeks since I got here. He’s young. He’s excited. He cares. He sits right next to me in my position meeting room. He wants to be great. That’s why he came here, and we wanna see him take those steps that any young player takes, to learn, one, how to function in the building and how to go about the day-to-day requirements and then to be able to meet that on the field, as well.”

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