Sports Home Five defensive veterans who need a big season in 2023
We are just a little more than 100 days away from Nick Saban and the Alabama football team kicking the 2023 season off on Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee State inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Even though the offseason can seem long and insufferable, is there really ever an offseason with all the outlets that produce non-stop content on the Crimson Tide? That’s why you can count on Roll Tide Wire to be there every step of the way.
We have already looked at five second-year offensive and defensive players who could impact the 2023 season. Now let’s turn our attention to the veteran players who need to step up this fall for the Tide. We took a look at some veteran offensive players earlier this week, so let’s focus on the defense now!
Position: Defensive Back
Measurements: 6’0″ 198
Malachi Moore is entering his senior season with the Tide and it is now time for him to step up and become one of the leaders of the Alabama defense. As a freshman in 2020, Moore showed flashes of his playmaking ability, and perhaps with the move to safety, he could get back into that style of play. Moore’s leadership and play will be critical for the Alabama defense in 2023.
Position: Outside Linebacker
Measurements: 6’3″ 255
Now that Will Anderson has moved on to the NFL, it is time for Chris Braswell to step into the starting lineup. Braswell has shown that he is a capable pass rusher, but with his added weight in the offseason, being able to set the edge as a run defender and becoming more physical at the point of attack will be crucial. Braswell certainly has the traits to be a star defender for the Tide.
Position: Outside Linebacker
Measurements: 6’4″ 242
Dallas Turner exploded onto the scene as a true freshman in 2021 with his 8.5 sacks but his numbers dipped in 2022 accumulating just four sacks on the season. Turner needs to resume his role of living in the opponent’s backfield and he is gifted enough to do so. 2023 is a massive season for Turner.
Tim Smith
Position: Defensive Lineman
Measurements: 6’4″ 302
Tim Smith has all the tools to be a disruptive force from the interior of the Alabama defensive line, he just hasn’t consistently put it all together yet. Smith is solid against the run and flashes pass-rushing ability as well. If Smith can play with more consistency, he will become one of the more feared defensive linemen in the SEC.
Justin Eboigbe
Position: Defensive Lineman
Measurements: 6’5″ 292
Justin Eboigbe was playing the best ball of his career prior to his season-ending neck injury in 2022. Eboigbe will never be a stat-stuffing defender, but if he can get back into his 2022 form, the entire Crimson Tide defensive front could be in for a big season in 2023.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.
