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The Tuscaloosa News
Why Kane Wommack 'takeaway circuit' is valuable to Alabama football defense
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Why Kane Wommack 'takeaway circuit' is valuable to Alabama football defense
Malachi Moore said Alabama football has always emphasized takeaways. And the Alabama redshirt safety would know, playing a prominent role in each Crimson Tide defense since 2020.
But Kane Wommack , Moore says, is just different.
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Takeaways were the first thing Wommack mentioned in the spring, the thing he harped on time and time again through summer and fall practices, one he continues to harp on each time the Crimson Tide touches the field.
"If we're not punching at the ball in practice enough, he'll let us know we're not punching at the ball in practice enough," Moore said. "If we're dropping too many picks in practice, he'll get onto us for that too because that's money that we're leaving on the floor."
Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Zabien Brown (2) and Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Damon Payne Jr. (44) celebrate after Payne recovered a Mercer fumble at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
Through 10 games, Alabama is third nationally in takeaways with 24 behind only James Madison and Notre Dame. The Crimson Tide is one of three SEC teams to average more than two takeaways per game along with Texas and South Carolina .
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Alabama is tied for fourth nationally in turnover margin with UNLV at plus-1.3, sitting behind only James Madison, Notre Dame and California .
That number is much different than what Moore has seen.
After playing for a defense that had 15 forced fumbles and 12 interceptions in 2020, the number of takeaways by the Alabama defense dwindled to 10 in 2022.
How Kane Wommack changed Alabama football takeaway mentality
Zabien Brown played in a man-coverage defense at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. So Wommack's zone-based, ball-hawk defense was new to him. But it's one Brown saw value in.
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"It's extremely valuable, allowing the ball to get into the offense's hands, which is very dangerous for other teams," Brown said.
It's how Wommack starts each practice, a set of drills he calls the "takeaway circuit" that emphasizes stripping the ball out of offensive players' hands, from interceptions and fumble recoveries, to strip sacks on pass rushes.
"The habits that you're creating to make those turnovers in a game," Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell said. "You look back and you're like 'Dang, how did I do that?' Well maybe it's because of what I was doing in practice and I actually took the drill (seriously)."
In a game, Moore said Wommack commends players with sacks, but comments that strip-sack fumbles are better, putting tremendous value on the football itself.
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"As a defensive player, you love to get the ball," Moore said.
It's a defense that has settled in, one that has allowed two touchdowns in its past three games. It's a defense, Moore said, that has taken the next step, that has overcome growing pains
It's a defense that is different than anything Campbell has ever played in. But it's one in which he's finding chances to shine.
"It's definitely something different, but it's something that is great for our defense because it leads to production for everybody on the team," Campbell said.
Alabama will take on Oklahoma at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma.
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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: Why Kane Wommack 'takeaway circuit' is valuable to Alabama football
