The three toughest defenses for the Alabama offense in 2023

After two years of wizardry from Bryce Young behind center, change is on the way for the Alabama offense. Not just at quarterback, either. With Bill O’Brien back in New England, Tommy Rees will look to become the sixth different offensive coordinator in the Nick Saban era at UA to win a national championship.

Other than that, not much in the way of a standard to meet, right?

Before the Crimson Tide can begin to think about a return to the College Football Playoff, its offense will need to address some important questions. With the schedule turning difficult in Week 2, the sooner those answers come to light, the better.

With that, here are the three opposing defenses on the upcoming slate that will prove most challenging to the Alabama offense.

The LSU Tigers

The return of sophomore Harold Perkins Jr. is reason enough to like a defense that must replace a good bit of production from a season ago.

As a true freshman, Perkins racked up 72 tackles, including 13 for loss, 7.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hurries and four forced fumbles. In the Tigers’ 32-31 overtime win over Alabama last November, the linebacker recorded eight tackles, a sack, a pass breakup and three quarterback hurries.

Headlining the list of departures was edge BJ Ojulari, a second round selection by the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 NFL Draft. Still, the secondary should benefit from the returns of Perkins and standout defensive linemen Mekhi Wingo and Maason Smith, who missed most of the 2022 campaign after sustaining a knee injury in the opener against Florida State.

At inside linebacker, the Transfer Portal prolific Tigers added the services of Omar Speights, a first-team All-Pac 12 performer at Oregon State a season ago.

The Texas Longhorns

In nipping the Longhorns last season, Alabama was held to 374 yards of total offense. Of that total, 81 came on a touchdown run by Jase McClellan in the first quarter.

Among the top defensive performers for Texas in that game was linebacker Jaylan Ford, who piled up 10 tackles, including two for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry. With Ford back and five-star signee Anthony Hill Jr. joining the mix, there is plenty to like about what the Longhorns will offer at the inside spots.

Playmaking up front is a bit of a question for the Longhorns, who are in need of a running mate to pair with edge Barryn Sorrell (nine tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries in 2022). With Arkansas transfer Jalen Catalon joining a secondary that returns largely intact, the back end of the defense figures to be an area of strength.

The Texas A&M Aggies

Based on talent, shouldn’t have to think long and hard about the Aggies’ defense in relation to those at Mississippi State and Kentucky.

After all, at the end and tackle positions alone, the Aggies welcome back five (!) linemen who qualified for five-star status as recruits. And that’s before the return of veteran nose tackle McKinnley Jackson is taken into account.

At linebacker, Chris Russell and Edgerrin Cooper returns after combining to make 127, including 15 for loss, a season ago. Meanwhile, of the three sacks recorded by edge Fadil Diggs in 2022, two were of Jalen Milroe, with both resulting in fumbles.

Calling the shots from the safety position will be fifth-year senior Demani Richardson, who is on track to make his fifth start against Alabama in as many years. In need of a replacement opposite Tyreek Chappell at corner, A&M hit the Portal for UNC transfer Tony Grimes, he of 20 pass breakups during his three years years in Chapel Hill.

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