Alabama Football’s A-Day Approaches: 5 Defensive Players to Watch
Alabama’s annual A-Day scrimmage is just two days away, marking the end of spring practice and giving fans their first real look at the 2025 Crimson Tide. Injuries have been a common theme this spring, many of which carried over from the 2024 season.
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack heads into his second year leading the Tide defense. His unit finished in the Top 10 last year and showed steady improvement. Now, with more experience across all three levels, Alabama’s defense looks poised to take another leap.
While veterans like linebackers Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson, along with defensive backs Domani Jackson and Keon Sabb, have missed spring action, younger players have taken advantage of the extra reps. Here’s a look at five defensive players worth watching during A-Day.
5. LBs QB Reese & Abduall Sanders
With Lawson and Jefferson sidelined, there’s been an opportunity for others to rise. Colorado transfer Nikhai Hill-Green has been running with the first unit, usually alongside redshirt freshman QB Reese, who has shown significant growth. Reese’s emergence, along with Cayden Jones, likely influenced Justin Okoronkwo’s transfer.
True freshman Abduall Sanders, a 4-star recruit from Mater Dei (CA), has also stood out. While he may not crack the linebacker rotation once everyone’s healthy, he’s expected to make an immediate impact on special teams.
4. DL Jeremiah Beaman
With several defensive linemen departing—Tim Smith graduated, and Jeheim Oatis and Damon Payne transferred—depth became a concern. Alabama returns starters Tim Keenan III and James Smith but needs reinforcements.
Enter Jeremiah Beaman. The former 259-pound lineman now weighs in at 312 and has transformed his body. He’s expected to play a meaningful role in 2025, giving the defensive line a much-needed boost.
3. S Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Dre Jr., son of former Tide star Dre Kirkpatrick, is proving he’s more than a legacy player. He’s shown impressive athleticism and has made his case for a spot in the rotation.
With Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard holding starting spots, and competition from players like Red Morgan and freshman Ivan Taylor, the secondary is stacked. But Kirkpatrick Jr.’s strong spring could earn him reps this fall.
2. S Zay Mincey
Originally recruited as a corner, Mincey transitioned to safety and stepped up big in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan when Malachi Moore was out. This spring, with Sabb still recovering from injury, Mincey has worked alongside Hubbard with the first team.
Once Sabb returns, Alabama will have three starting-level safeties in rotation, plus emerging talent like Kirkpatrick Jr., giving the Tide enviable depth in the secondary.
1. CB Dijon Lee
The breakout star of the spring is 5-star freshman Dijon Lee, a 6-foot-4 corner from California. With Domani Jackson out, Lee has been lining up with the starting defense opposite Zabien Brown.
Alabama returns both starting corners and added Cam Calhoun from the transfer portal, but Lee isn’t content to wait his turn. He’s pushing for early playing time and looks like a future star. With this kind of depth, Alabama may have the best cornerback group in the country under new DB coach Maurice Linguist.
Final Thoughts
Saturday’s A-Day will offer the first real glimpse of what the 2025 Alabama defense could look like. With a mix of returning experience and young talent stepping up, there’s plenty for fans to be excited about heading into the fall.
Leave a Reply