Crimson Tide Defensive Coordinator Kane Wommack Shares Insights After 11th Fall Practice

On Tuesday, August 13th, 2024, the Alabama Crimson Tide completed their 11th fall practice after taking a day off on Monday following their weekend scrimmage. The media caught up with Defensive Coordinator Kane Wommack, who shared his insights on the team's defensive performance after the eleventh fall practice.

Wommack is implementing a new defensive scheme for Alabama this year, transitioning from the 3-4 Base to the 4-2-5 defense. According to Wommack, this new defense is complex and incorporates several NFL coverages. The coordinator stated, "Certainly, we're running a complicated defense. Our top three coverages are the same as the top three in the NFL last season."

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The Tide's new defensive coordinator briefly discussed his expectation that many young defensive backs will get playing time this year. Wommack told the media on Tuesday, "I think we're intentional about implementing a short-term development plan to get young players on the field. We've always done that in this system. We've always been able to play freshmen because of that." With the Tide bringing in another top class of defensive backs in last year's recruiting cycle, it seems the Tide are looking to build experience for those young players.

Kane Wommack discussed Alabama's newly acclaimed transfer LT Overton, who spent the previous 2 seasons with the Texas A&M Aggies, amassing 48 tackles and one sack, as mentioned on LT Overton's Sports Reference Page.

Wommack had nothing but great things to say about the 280-pound defensive lineman. He mentioned that Overton is a great pass rusher. Wommack also commented on Overton's size, noting that the coaching staff of the Crimson Tide sees Overton as an ideal fit for the Bandit position, which is similar to a defensive end.

"They can do a lot of different things. I'm impressed with their athleticism, those guys can really move for guys to be that big. I would say from a prototype bandit position it makes things really challenging to establish runs when you have a 280-pound ass kicker over there."- Kane Wommack

Wommack spoke about the new technology in college football this year: the new headset technology that will allow coaches on any side of the ball to talk to one player on the field up to the 15-second mark. The main player on the defensive side of the ball that will have the headset in their helmet this season will be Deontae Lawson, Alabama's defensive coordinator confirmed with the media on Tuesday. Coach Wommack was asked which side of the ball this technology helps the most, and his response was, "Only time will tell." Wommack then went into more detail, explaining how this technology will help coaches see real-time mistakes when they happen and will be able to instantly correct them with their players. Alabama's DC also talked about how helpful it can be, especially in the hurry-up, but also mentioned that other offenses will slow down and wait to call their play after the 15-second mark, so defenses will have to use standard play calling and signals.

"I think what it will do is it will confirm from a defensive perspective, ‘Did the ball hit in the B gap here?’, ‘Did it fold outside our defensive end here?’ or ‘Did it go inside?, What route concept did they run?,’ ‘This was a Number Two receiver on an over route.’ Those are the things you can confirm immediately and get corrected." Kane Wommack

Jaylen Mbakwe's name came up during Kane Wommack's interview on Tuesday. Wommack mentioned that the freshman is putting in time and effort to learn his position and sees Mbakwe playing a role in the Tide's defense. Wommack spoke highly of the young defensive back and told the media, "He made great progress in the spring and has elevated his game through the summer and during fall camp. We believe he will have a role for us."

Kane Wommack wrapped up his interview by discussing the Inside Linebacker room, focusing on Jihaad Campbell and the younger players in the group. Campbell is returning for his junior year with the Tide after recording 34 solo tackles and one pick during his sophomore season last year, as per Jihaad Campbell's profile on ESPN.com. Wommack praised Campbell's skill set, discipline, and knowledge of the game, even suggesting that Campbell could be another player to wear the green dot helmet (Helmet Headset) during games. Wommack also highlighted how Campbell and Linebacker Deontae Lawson are setting a great example for the younger players. Lawson, a junior linebacker, recorded 32 solo tackles and 3 sacks last season for the Tide, according to Deontae Lawson's profile on ESPN.com. The Alabama defensive coordinator mentioned the challenges of being a freshman linebacker, acknowledging the high expectations and demands placed on these players.

Kane Wommack is set to lead the Alabama Crimson Tide's defense in the upcoming season. Be sure to catch every game using the Tide 100.9 app.