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Wild preseason All-SEC stat reveals something about Alabama’s defense that the rest of college football doesn't see coming

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Clint Lamb | Last updated Jul 19, 2025 2:38 PM ET

Alabama is expected to field one of college football’s top defenses in 2025. After finishing last season with a top-25 unit that also ranked top 5 in turnovers, the Crimson Tide now return 12 total players who got at least one start in 2024 and 10 who started three or more games.

Not only that, but you’ve got other players such as James Smith, Jordan Renaud and even Yhonzae Pierre up front who saw meaningful snaps without getting a start. That’s quite a bit returning for Alabama as the defense enters Year 2 under coordinator Kane Wommack. Here’s how the unit stacks up with returning contributors:

DL LT Overton (4 starts/503 snaps)
DL Tim Keenan III (12 starts/466 snaps)
DL Jah-Marien Latham (11 starts/441 snaps)
LB Qua Russaw (6 starts/403 snaps)
LB Deontae Lawson (11 starts/646 snaps)
LB Justin Jefferson (3 starts/422 snaps)
CB Domani Jackson (13 starts/717 snaps)
CB Zabien Brown (13 starts/660 snaps)
CB Dashawn Jones (1 start/295 snaps)
S Keon Sabb (7 starts/455 snaps)
S Bray Hubbard (6 starts/429 snaps)
S Zay Mincey (1 start/122 snaps)
DL James Smith (0 starts/310 snaps)
DL Jordan Renaud (0 starts/140 snaps)
LB Yhonzae Pierre (0 starts/92 snaps)

Now throw in the transfers (Nikhai Hill-Green and Cam Calhoun) and true freshmen (Dijon Lee, Ivan Taylor, Justin Hill, etc.) who are expected to help provide immediate depth or contributions, and you’ve got one of the most talented defenses in all of college football. And yet, not one single Alabama player was awarded preseason first-team All-SEC honors by the media at SEC Media Days. Not one despite 11 total Tide players making All-SEC selections.

WR Ryan Williams (first team)
OL Kadyn Proctor (first)
OL Jaeden Roberts (second)
OL Parker Brailsford (second)
DL LT Overton (second)
DL Tim Keenan III (second)
LB Deontae Lawson (second)
DB Domani Jackson (second)
RB Jam Miller (third)
DB Keon Sabb (third)
DB Bray Hubbard (third)

Not having one defensive player make first team may not seem like a big deal, but according to Creg Stephenson with AL.com, it’s the first time that has ever happened dating back to when SEC Media Days first started in 1985. So how is that even possible when Alabama is expected to field one of the top defenses in the country?

My friend @jbeanpoll asked me: When was the last time Alabama did not have a defensive player picked first-team preseason All-SEC at Media Days?

I didn't know, so we looked it up.

And the answer is: Never.

Media Days started in 1985 and this is the first time.

Crazy.
— Creg Stephenson the First (@CregStephenson) July 18, 2025

Well, there are a number of possible reasons.

First, Overton is widely considered Alabama’s best returning defensive player from a season ago, but his production (three tackles for loss, two sacks) isn’t going to wow voting media members. He’s expected to take a massive step forward on that front in 2025 though after still registering 30+ pressures in 2024. Keenan, while reliable and steady, doesn’t play a role that generates big numbers.

Then you’ve got other possible candidates such as Lawson, Sabb and Hubbard, who all landed either on the second or third team. Two of those guys are coming back from season-ending injuries with the other (Hubbard) only having a half a season as a starter after not being a hyped recruit coming out of high school. So those things, on top of other qualified candidates, likely led to all of them being left off the first team lists.

It's not about preseason lists though. Everyone knows Alabama has NFL talent on defense -- and a lot of it, too. Overton, Jackson and Lawson all have borderline Day 1 talent. Sabb and Keenan are also possible Day 2 picks, and that's just the guys who will certainly be gone following the 2025 season.

James Smith, Bray Hubbard and Qua Russaw are three more guys who could be pushing for a first-round draft grade if they put up with type of seasons we're expecting from them. And the last two recruiting cycles have likely produced several high-profile defensive prospects who will contribute this year, including Zabien Brown, Zay Mincey, Dijon Lee, Ivan Taylor and Justin Hill.

Alabama doesn't necessarily have the established, known superstars on defense yet, but that's coming in due time. In other words, let's reevaluate at the end of the season once we've got a chance to see some of these guys in the system or after another year in the system. What we do know is that this defense is deep and ultra-talented at almost every position.

Don't sweat it, Alabama fans. All is good.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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