A look at Alabama football's 2025 defensive line position group

USA Today

6 days ago

Alabama's defensive line will be one of their stronger units in 2025.
This year Alabama will have a mix of veterans and young talented playmakers to provide depth and quality reps. There is a great deal of size, length, and athletic ability in this group. Everyone is capable of providing quality reps and making game changing plays.
This group is a formidable foe for any offense in the SEC and should make for entertaining Saturdays in the SEC. There may be question marks about experience with the 2nd and 3rd string players, but they are a talented group who can win 1 on 1 matchups and make highlight plays.
Let's take a look at some of the top names from Alabama's 2025 defensive line unit, as well as project their fall seasons.
LT Overton - 6'5 278 - Senior - Bandit
LT Overton will anchor the Tide's edge this season as he comes back after being a lead contributor in 2024. Last year Overton recorded 42 Tackles, 3 TFL's, 2 Sacks, and 1 FF. Overton is a combination of length, technique, motor, and instincts. He does a great job of flowing to the football, but also setting the edge on the field side. His wingspan and hand technique allow him to shed blocks and make critical tackles for the Tide. He also shows good pursuit and change of direction for a player his size. He is a physical tackler and punishes the ball carrier with great contact power, form, and explosion. Expect big plays in big games from LT this year as he has received preseason 2nd Team all SEC from the SEC Media. 2025 Projection: 55 Tackles, 6 TFL's, 4 Sacks, 2 FF - All SEC Honors
Tim Keenan III - 6'2 320 - Redshirt Senior - Nosetackle
Tim Keenan was also named preseason 2nd Team All SEC from the SEC Media. Big things are expected from Keenan this year as he will anchor the interior of the D-line. Keenan is to the interior what Overton is to the edge. Keenan was also projected to be a first round pick earlier in the summer according to ESPN's 2026 NFL mock draft. ESPN's draft experts had Keenan landing at the 18th spot to the Minnesota Vikings. Keenan is a true load who can swallow up a team's interior running game. He is exceptionally strong, has a low center of gravity, and is an immovable object in A gaps and B gaps. Keenan can also disrupt the passing game but it is usually through a determined push and great leg drive, rather than flashy moves and elite athletic ability. Keenan recorded 7.5 TFL's last year which is an impressive stat considering he saw double teams for much of the year. His ability to draw double teams and still be effective is both impressive and helpful to the entire defense. Between his quickness, lower body strength, and use of hands, expect big time plays from the Senior this year. 2025 Projection: 40 Tackles, 10 TFLs, 3.5 sacks - All SEC Honors
James Smith - 6'3 - 297 - Junior - Defensive Tackle
Smith played in all 13 games last year and has taken almost 400 career snaps for the Tide. Smith is a great interior presence and will step up big alongside Keenan. Smith does not have quite as much mass as Keenan, but he is very strong. He does a great job of breaking up double team blocks by being low, strong, and flexible at the point of attack. Once he penetrates the backfield he shows elite burst and pursuit skills to make tackles. Playing along side Keenan in a full time role this year, I see his tackling and TFL stats going up. Look for a lot of big time stops by the Jr. as he has the 3rd most playing time as anyone in the rotation. 2025 Projection: 40 Tackles, 10 TFL's, 2 Sacks 3rd Team All SEC
Jeremiah Beaman - 6'4 314 - Redshirt Freshman - Nosetackle
Jeremiah is my sleeper pick for a breakout season this Fall. Beaman played Edge in HS, but the Alabama coaching staff added weight to his large frame and moved him inside. Beaman impressed in the Michigan game last year. With his athletic tools, length, and now mass, he can be a problem for offensive coordinators. He will likely be 2nd on the depth chart, but getting some quality reps. Look for some big time plays especially late in the year from Beaman. 2025 Projection: 24 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks
Kelby Collins - 6'4 275 - Junior - Bandit
Kelby has transferred from the University of Florida. He had a very productive freshman season as an outside rusher. He had 23 tackles and made the SEC All Freshman Team. His sophomore season was far less productive. The gators moved him inside (3 technique) and he only recorded 6 tackles. Coming to Bama, he is now playing Bandit which will be more familiar to him. He shows great hand strength and power at the point of attack. If he can compliment this with an arsenal of hand moves and flexibility, he can be major factor for the Tide. 2025 Projection: 25 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks.
Jordan Renaud - 6'4 275 - Redshirt Sophomore - Bandit
Renaud is a long athlete who will be competing with Kelby Collins for reps at the Bandit position. He does a great job of setting the edge and shows range on the edge. Renaud is a violent player with great contact power and physicality. Jordan has played over 150 career snaps at Alabama and made 18 total tackles. His length, size, and range will make him an effective playmaker and gives this group that much more depth. 2025 Projection: 20 Tackles 1 TFL 1.5 Sacks
Edric Hill - 6'3 284 - Redshirt Sophomore - Defensive Tackle
Edric will likely be 2nd on the depth chart behind James Smith at Defensive Tackle. He will provide gap integrity, penetration, and solid stats. He has great physical attributes and will likely see a larger role being 2nd on the depth chart behind James Smith. Hill uses his hands well, disrupts, and is capable of chasing down the ball carrier. Look for increased production from the R-So. 2025 Projection: 15 Tackles, 1.5 TFL
Keon Keeley - 6'5 282 - Redshirt Sophomore - Bandit
Keon Keely is a player to get very excited about if you're a Tide fan. He is 6'5, 282 lbs., with a 7'0 wingspan. He runs like a deer and shows elite athletic ability coming off the edge. QBs and offensive coordinators have to be mindful of his presence when he is in the game. He was moved from Outside Linebacker to the Bandit where he will provide depth. This may not be a breakout year for him because of depth at the position, but this is a high upside player who will make the most of his reps. 2025 Projection 15 Tackles, 2 TFL, 1 Sack
Alabama has a combination of savvy veterans and elite young players to provide depth. Many of these players have high level NFL upside to include LT Overton, Tim Keenan III, and Keon Keeley. Expect a combination of discipline and highlight plays this Fall. The coaching staff has done a wonderful job of adding weight to these players and changing their positions so they can be successful. Expect their best play to come late in the year, once the younger players have gotten more game experience. Tracking this group and their statistics will be exciting for the Crimson Tide faithful!
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