Alabama football will have its fair share of production back in 2025, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Linebacker Deontae Lawson , cornerback Domani Jackson , defensive lineman LT Overton and safety Keon Sabb are just a handful of NFL draft-eligible returners for a Crimson Tide unit that shined in its first season with defensive coordinator Kane Wommack .
But Alabama still does have a few questions on defense heading into 2025.
Here are five members of the Crimson Tide defense that could be at the center of conversations throughout the spring, culminating in A Day April 12.
In the fall, Alabama is set to have an extremely veteran group of linebackers at its disposal with the returning services of Lawson and Justin Jefferson , and Colorado transfer Nikhai Hill-Green.
But with Lawson out until fall camp as he recovers from a lower-body injury he suffered against Oklahoma , Hill-Green could take a bulk of the snaps next to Jefferson while the younger members of the room - Cayden Jones , QB Reese and the four linebackers in the 2025 class - get developed.
Without Lawson, Alabama will be able to see exactly what it has in Hill-Green and the rest of its depth at linebacker this spring.
Expectations are high for Overton.
The former Texas A&M transfer was a solid addition to the Alabama defensive line in 2024. But his 6-foot-5, 283-pound frame and his athleticism had NFL draft evaluators on his case after one season with the Crimson Tide.
Instead, Overton is back for his senior season, one where he will try and boost his three tackles for loss and two sacks from 2024 and provide a level of pressure off the edge Alabama really did not have last season.
Even with the addition of Florida transfer Kelby Collins at Bandit, Overton could very well be the piece that determines success for the defensive line unit as a whole.
Overton may have some help when it comes to providing pressure on the Alabama defensive line, especially if James Smith is the defensive tackle he was against Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
In the Crimson Tide's loss to the Wolverines, Smith, the incoming fourth-year interior lineman, had four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.
As the 2024 season continued, Smith provided more and more pressure from the interior of the Alabama defensive line. A successful spring could make Smith one of the faces of the Crimson Tide defense in 2025.
Zavier Mincey shined in the ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan out of necessity.
Mincey ended his first season with the Crimson Tide with seven tackles and a pass breakup in a start for injured safety Malachi Moore . That starting spot is expected to be filled this spring with the return of both Sabb and Bray Hubbard to the defensive backfield.
But Mincey could be in a position to play spoiler, whether it's working his way into first-team reps at safety, or sliding into possible playing time at Husky as a former five-star cornerback. Mincey showed what he could do in limited reps, and the Crimson Tide may give him a chance to prove his production even more.
Alabama's biggest question heading into the spring defensively could be the Husky position. The Crimson Tide lost its starting Husky to the transfer portal with DeVonta Smith moving to Notre Dame.
DaShawn Jones, a former Wake Forest transfer, is likely first in line to slide into the slot corner spot, playing nearly 50 snaps against Michigan in the spot, while Red Morgan could also vie for starting reps.
Jones started for three years at Wake Forest. He may be the easiest plug-and-play option for Alabama at Husky. Spring will show where that position group stands.
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: Five Alabama football players on defense that could define 2025 spring practice
