Every great defense begins with excellent play in the trenches. One player that showed he has the potential to be a disrupter in the front is senior defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe.

Although it was against a Group of Five opponent in Utah State, the Crimson Tide did what they were supposed to do, which is dominate. Eboigbe played a large role in limiting the Aggies offense to 79 rushing yards and 136 yards of total offense. Alabama also pitched its 25th shutout since 2007, no other FBS team has more than 14 shutouts in that span.

Senior bowl director Jim Nagy has been an advocate for the Tide defensive front.

“The @AlabamaFTBL front w/ Eboigbe, Dale, and Young doesn’t get enough credit.  All talented enough to be in Mobile,” Nagy stated on Twitter.

At 6-foot-5 and 296 pounds, Eboigbe can win with brute strength. The Georgia native made plays against Utah State lining up in a 0-technique and 2i-technique. The better Eboigbe plays upfront, the easier it makes it for the linebackers Henry To’oto’o, Jaylen Moody and others to shoot the gaps and work downhill.

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Alabama has a long tradition of great defensive lineman that have played under Nick Saban. Eight players on the defensive front have earned first-team All-SEC and two second-team All-SEC honors during Saban’s reign.

Washington Commanders defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis left a message for his position group during the Alabama Pro Day in March.

“I want all those guys to step. It’s their time to shine,” Mathis said. “We got to get that championship this season.”

The Crimson Tide have the potential to be one of the best defenses in modern college football. They are elite at linebacker, with a suffocating pass rush and have stars in the secondary that have played a ton of football. The final component is an aggressive and disruptive defensive line and Alabama has the pieces to do so.

Alabama vs Utah State Week 1 2022

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