Tuscaloosa, Ala. – The Crimson Tide entered fall camp with a clear answer at the top of the pass‑rush hierarchy: senior linebacker Yhonzae Pierre, who led Alabama with eight sacks last season. Behind Pierre, however, the depth chart is still taking shape, and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack pointed to three young players who could step up as the next‑generation edge threats.
Who’s in the mix?
Wommack praised the experience of Pierre while noting the potential of three newcomers. “Devan Thompkins does a really good job, Desmond Zulu brings a lot to the table, and I’m excited about a young guy in Xavier Griffin,” he said. He added that the coaching staff also has “a couple of guys in Kevonte Henry and Justin Hill” who could provide different looks, but the focus remains on Thompkins, Zulu and Griffin as the primary candidates to fill the void when Pierre rests.
Devan Thompkins – interior talent moving to the edge
Thompkins arrived from USC after posting three sacks in his most productive season there, all from the interior of the defense. At Alabama, he is expected to line up primarily as a bandit defensive end on the field side, with occasional snaps at the 3‑technique inside position. The transition to the edge could give the Tide a versatile pass‑rusher who can attack from multiple angles.
Desmond Zulu – the towering South Carolina edge
Zulu spent three years behind All‑SEC standout Dylan Stewart at South Carolina, finishing his final season with 19 tackles and one sack. Standing 6‑foot‑6 and weighing 253 pounds, the former Gamecock brings size and length that could be valuable when Pierre rotates off the field. While he may not replace Pierre at wolf linebacker, his ability to line up on the edge adds depth to Alabama’s defensive front.
Xavier Griffin – a five‑star prospect with a proven high‑school record
Griffin, a five‑star recruit from Gainesville High School in Georgia, posted 96 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hurries and four sacks in his senior year. The coaching staff sees him as a “chess piece,” similar to how they used Jihaad Campbell a few seasons ago, capable of shifting between edge and inside linebacker roles depending on the situation.
Practice schedule and upcoming season
Alabama will return to the practice field on Thursday, Aug. 27, for the 18th day of fall camp. The Tide’s season opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 5, when they host East Carolina at home, with kickoff slated for 11:00 a.m. Fans can follow coverage from Wyatt Fulton, the Tide’s 100.9 DME and brand manager, on X (formerly Twitter) at @FultonW_.
As the Tide fine‑tune their defensive front, the emergence of Thompkins, Zulu and Griffin could prove crucial in maintaining the relentless pressure that has become a hallmark of Alabama football under Coach Nick Saban.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
