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The Tuscaloosa News
What will Alabama football defense look like in 2025? Qua Russaw shares Tide preview
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- What will Alabama football defense look like in 2025? Qua Russaw shares Tide preview
What could the Alabama football defense look like in 2025?
When Qua Russaw was asked about Crimson Tide defensive lineman James Smith , his former teammate at Carver High School in Montgomery, Russaw said he expects Alabama 's upcoming defense to feel similar to what it felt like to dominate back then.
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"We know it's going to be fun, for sure," Russaw said. "Just playing ball. Just not thinking too much. Just going out there and playing."
When it comes to the "fun" Russaw thinks Alabama could have defensively in 2025, a few names come to mind.
Breakout Alabama football defensive players to Qua Russaw
Redshirt freshman linebacker Noah Carter , Russaw said, is consistently bringing his "fast get-off" and life to the defense.
"When we get going, he can go," Russaw said. "Just him, he brings energy to the room, too. You'll see him all the time just yelling and saying, 'Let's go,' and stuff like that."
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Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Keon Keeley , Russaw said is taking it "step-by-step," spending each day "working on his craft."
"He's gotten way better," Russaw said. "He's been working."
Freshman Justin Hill , Russaw said, has "a lot more room to grow," but is seeing progress, showcasing his explosiveness on a regular basis on the practice field.
For Russaw, it's also about who's not available, expecting the Alabama defense to take another step up when Deontae Lawson returns to the field from his ACL injury.
"He bring that field general, getting everybody lined up, the sets and stuff," Russaw said. "Like you said, he was a leader last year. Him being out there is going to make all this better."
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But it's not just about others for Russaw. It's personal improvement, working to build on his three tackles-for-loss, one sack and two interceptions from a season ago.
Much of that improvement stems from what Russaw aims for the defense as a whole: to just go; to not think too much.
"I know I can do it," Russaw said. "I'm fast, explosive. Just having that violent mentality like no one is going to stop me."
Alabama will hold its annual A Day spring game at Bryant-Denny Stadium at noon April 12.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Qua Russaw shares expectations for Alabama football 2025 defense
