Of all the positions on Nick Saban’s heralded, perennially-great defenses, there is one position that is the pivot point upon which the other two units generally rest: the linebacking position. While Saban’s defenses always need great players at key positions such as corner and safety, linebackers are the fuel that feeds the Tide’s defensive greatness.
The bad news is that following the 2018 National Championship Campaign, the Tide said goodbye to two senior stalwarts at the position of inside linebacker: the oft-injured but uber-talented Shaun Dion Hamilton, and first-team All-American Rashaan Evans. Of course, the Tide defense under first year coordinator Tosh Lupoi will have a tall task in filling the leadership void left by Bama’s now-departed elder statesmen in the heart of the defense.