Alabama football has been dealt a slew of injuries to its defensive front to start the season, but several players have stepped up in their newfound roles.
Yhonzae Pierre
Pierre, a former consensus five-star recruit, will take over the starting role at “wolf” linebacker for another former consensus five-star recruit in Qua Russaw. Russaw suffered a foot injury against Georgia that will sideline him for some time but not the remainder of the season.
Fellow “wolf” Jah-Marien Latham went down with a season-ending neck injury before the Georgia game, so Russaw’s absence allows Pierre a firm grasp on the starting role for the foreseeable future.
Pierre has recorded 12 total tackles and one sack so far this season and can be expected to produce more in a starting role while Russaw is out. While he only recorded one total tackle against Vanderbilt, he helped force a crucial punt from the Commodores when he and defensive back Domani Jackson combined to bring down quarterback Diego Pavia behind the line of scrimmage on third down.
“He just keeps getting better,” defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said of Pierre after the Georgia game. “His ability to affect the run game, to generate some pass rush for us has shown up so far this season.”
London Simmons
The true freshman and former three-star recruit emerged after defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman suffered a season-ending knee injury and starting defensive tackle Tim Keenan III was sidelined for the team’s opening three games with a high ankle sprain.
Simmons is among eight true freshmen who have appeared in each of the team’s five games thus far and notably started two games in Keenan’s absence.
He could continue to play a role in the team’s pass rush and run defense as the season progresses.
“London [Simmons] continues to show up and does a good job,” Wommack said, adding that “this week I imagine you’re gonna see more snaps from him.”
Simmons has recorded six total tackles and a sack thus far. He fell below the radar of other top programs, much like wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks, and chose Alabama over Arkansas, Florida State and North Carolina State.
Edric Hill
The redshirt sophomore, like Simmons, has emerged through injuries to those in front of him on the depth chart. He has also appeared in every game for Alabama thus far and has recorded 12 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Against Georgia, Edric Hill was thrust into a crucial spot after defensive lineman James Smith was ejected for targeting. Edric Hill picked up a sack on Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton and helped hold off Georgia in the second half to preserve a 24-21 win.
He received high praise from Keenan at SEC Media Days on July 16, with Keenan adding that he watches Edric Hill’s reps sometimes to model his game after Edric Hill because it is “smooth” and “effortless.”
“He’s been making a magnificent impact this spring, and I can’t wait to see what he keeps doing,” Keenan said of Edric Hill.
Justin Hill
The true freshman has seen an uptick in snaps at “wolf” following the injuries to Latham and Russaw. He saw time in the late stages of the Georgia game and helped stave off red zone threats from the Bulldogs to squeeze out an Alabama victory.
“It’s a lot to ask for a true freshman to come in and compete, especially in a road SEC game,” Wommack said of Justin Hill, adding that the team “did not anticipate him playing 23 or 24 snaps in the game, and he did a really good job there going in.”
Hill may not make nearly as much of an impact as Pierre could in the absence of Latham and Russaw, but he possesses impressive talent that will be of value to Wommack and the Alabama defense in the present and beyond.
No. 8 Alabama travels to Columbia, Missouri, for its third SEC matchup of the season with No. 14 Missouri. The game is slated to kick off at 11 a.m. CT and can be viewed on ABC.
