3 defensive freshman who could make huge impact for Alabama in 2025
With the 2025 season approaching, Alabama football will be looking for its latest crop of talented freshmen to make at least some impact on the field. Kalen DeBoer’s first full recruiting cycle as head coach netted some impressive talent on that side of the ball, with some of it on display during UA’s A-Day practice.
With spring ball now in the rearview, here are three players who could make an impact on defense in 2025.
Ivan Taylor
Early on in Alabama’s open A-Day practice, Taylor made his presence known. The safety picked off fellow freshman Keelon Russell on the Tide’s second 11-on-11 drive.
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said he was impressed by the son of former NFL star Ike Taylor.
“He’s really done a nice job,” Wommack said after spring ball wrapped up. “Ivan, he’s got a ton of energy. He’s excited to be out there every single day. He’s got a hunger to learn and I think he’s probably one of the best open-field tacklers I’ve seen as a freshman. Being able to get people on the ground, you know, that is a very challenging, difficult skill, and certainly one that I think he’s really come in probably way above average for what you would see for a young freshman. He’s got a real knack for the ball and I’m excited to kind of build upon that.”
Abduall Sanders
Late in the A-Day practice, quarterback Austin Mack appeared not to see Sanders in the middle of the field. The freshman linebacker picked him off, a late highlight in the practice.
The four-star prospect joined the Tide during ReliaQuest Bowl practice to end the 2024 season. He was part of a group of young linebackers who DeBoer praised during spring ball.
“Abduall, Luke (Metz), Duke (Johnson), all three of them have been making plays out there, running sideline-to-sideline,” DeBoer said. “That’s one thing they do best…I’m proud of the way those guys have just taken the bull by the horns and rolled with it.”
Jeremiah Beaman
Up on the defensive lineman, Beaman will be looking to make an even bigger impact during his redshirt freshman year. He played in three games last year to preserve his redshirt, including the ReliaQuest Bowl, where he made two tackles and notched a QB hurry.
Wommack said the experience there would help Beaman entering 2025.
“Really pleased with Beam and the way that– the steps that he has taken this spring,” Wommack said. “I think you saw pieces of that at the end of the season, even in bowl preparation and what he was able to do and execute in the bowl game. He did a really nice job for us in the bowl game and I thought took his game to another level in the spring. So there’s a big body and a big frame that can move, he’s athletic, and he is operating with consistency that we can trust. I’m excited about his trajectory.”
Alabama has names ahead of Beaman on the defensive line. However, if he continues to develop into a player UA can trust, he’ll be on the field this season.
