Freshman DL Gaining Confidence Each Week

The Crimson Tide has been bitten by the injury bug in the preseason, with the defensive front getting the bulk of the injuries. Tim Keenan III suffered an ankle injury and underwent tightrope surgery before Alabama's season opener against Florida State, and then Jeremiah Beaman, another interior defender, suffered a season-ending lower-body injury the next week.

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The injuries along the defensive front have forced younger players, such as former three-star defensive lineman London Simmons, into starting roles earlier than expected. Fortunately for the Crimson Tide, Simmons has been up to the task so far this season, totaling four tackles and earning his first career sack in Alabama's 38-14 victory over Wisconsin last weekend.

"He's [Simmons] gotten more and more comfortable each week with his responsibility," head coach Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday during the SEC coaches' teleconference. "It's kind of gone to where he's expecting to make a play himself and being able to finish.

"Just the steps that you need a young guy to take, he's taken those," DeBoer said. While it's not ideal to force a true freshman into the spotlight early, the reps Simmons has earned are valuable for a true freshman's development. For Simmons, it isn't just about development, though. He's filling a massive need along the defensive line for Alabama. With the lack of veteran depth along the defensive line, Simmons's emergence has potentially saved the Crimson Tide's defensive front from disaster.

While Alabama hopes to return veteran Tim Keenan III next Saturday against Georgia, the Crimson Tide's captain likely won't be able to play the full game, as he is returning from surgery and has yet to appear in a game this season. Alabama will still need to rely on Simmons in key situations, and his current trajectory puts him in a prime position to be a meaningful contributor as Alabama enters SEC play.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.