If Alabama didn't have the best defense week-to-week in college football last season, it certainly had the best leaders.
Alabama had Minkah Fitzpatrick in the secondary.
It had Rashaan Evans at linebacker.
It had Da'Ron Payne on the defensive line.
They were all first-round picks, but, more importantly, they were all leaders of the highest order.
It has been a tough week for Alabama's defense. The knee injury to linebacker Terrell Lewis this week is concerning, and the violence of linebacker VanDarius Cowan in a Tuscaloosa bar was disturbing. The loss of both players adds some additional question marks heading into fall camp.