Alabama football heads into the 2024 system with a new defensive scheme and new terminology for the first time in 17 years.
So long are the days of former Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban's 3-4 base consisting of a 'jack' linebacker or 'star' and 'money' defensive backs. Now, Alabama 's defense is made up of wolves, bandits, huskies, rovers and stings, all brought by new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and his 4-2-5 "swarm" defense.
"I really love this new system," Jah-Marien Latham said of the new defense in the spring. "It gives everybody on the defense a chance to really showcase their talent, especially on the defensive line. We have more freedom to rush now. It really gives us an ability to show what type of athlete we really are."
Let's take a look at the new defensive terms brought to Alabama football by coach Kane Wommack.
The bandit spot is basically a defensive end but is more of a hybrid defensive lineman/edge rusher. Under Wommack's system, the bandit will line up on the edge of the defensive line and can either rush the quarterback or drop back into coverage.
Candidates to fill this role for the Crimson Tide are Jah-Marien Latham and Texas A&M transfer LT Overton. Latham, a reshirt senior, is currently the presumed starter at the bandit position for the Crimson Tide. He described the position as doing the same thing he did last year as a defensive end under Saban, but with more freedom.
"I still do the same thing, I still play the same position, but it's like now I have more freedom," Latham said during spring practice. "I have more freedom to showcase that I got speed off the edge, I got power off the edge, I can win inside, I can drop into coverage. It's just allowing me to show everything that I have in the bag."
The wolf position is a hybrid edge rusher/outside linebacker with an ability to drop back into coverage while still being expected to be one of a team's primary pass rushers. The wolf will typically line up opposite of the bandit along the defensive line with down linemen in between the two, but has a smaller body type than the bandit position and is a lot quicker.
Candidates to play the wolf for the Crimson Tide this season include Que Robinson, Keanu Koht and Qua Russaw , amongst others. Robinson , a redshirt senior, is the projected starter for Alabama in this role, and has been showing signs of leadership through Alabama's first week of fall camp.
"Like I said, it's all about the ball," Robinson said after Alabama's second day of fall camp. "Trying to get takeaways, trying to show everybody what we can do this season."
The sting is a weakside linebacker in Wommack's system, so a will previously in Saban's system.
Expect to see Jihaad Campbell starting in this spot this fall for the Crimson Tide. Mike (middle linebacker) remains the same from Saban's system compared to that of Wommack's. Deontae Lawson is projected to start at mike while Campbell is projected to start at sting.
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Under coach Saban, the star position is what is now known as the husky position, a hybrid safety and linebacker, basically a nickelback.
This position was manned by Malachi Moore last season but DeVonta Smith is the projected starter this season with Moore likely moving to free safety.
The rover is a strong safety under Wommack and his system, so will be playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
Jaylen Key manned this position last season, but with him off to the NFL, expect to see Michigan transfer Keon Sabb in this position for the Crimson Tide.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What are the new defensive roles in Alabama football under Wommack?
