The turnover was substantial, with departures including Tim Keenan III and Bandit LT Overton, plus several other key players: Kelby Collins, James Smith, Keon Keeley, Jordan Renaud, and Wolf linebackers Qua Russaw and Noah Carter entered the transfer portal.
On the positive side, Alabama welcomes back some veterans and new faces. Jeremiah Beaman is returning to the group after missing the 2025 season, while London Simmons, redshirted as a freshman, is expected to earn a waiver and join Edric Hill as top defensive-tackle options alongside returning players, according to DeBoer’s remarks.
The Tide also added four transfers to the defensive line room, including Desmond Umeozulu from South Carolina, who could provide positional versatility even though he has 14 solo tackles and 1.5 sacks across three seasons. Another notable addition is five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin from Georgia, who could factor into early rotational decisions given limited depth at linebacker.
Alabama also brings in five freshmen to the defensive front. Among the new arrivals, Terrance Greene stands out as a particularly impactful addition at 6-foot-5, 330 pounds; Greene posted 15 tackles and a pass breakup in 2025 and offers immediate interior experience as the old line turns over.
Overall production from the 2025 defensive line, which lost six players to departures or the NFL, was significant in volume: 132 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks across the group, plus 72 pressures over 1,916 snaps. The five transfer additions collectively posted 90 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, and one forced fumble, along with 48 pressures and 1,434 snaps, averaging around 18 tackles, two TFL, 0.8 sacks, and 9.6 pressures per player. While still untested as a unit, the toolkit is in place for a deeper, more athletic defensive front.
