Defense wins championships, and for the Crimson Tide, it’s been a key to their success for over a decade. Looking at the 2023 team, things haven’t changed one bit, and Nick Saban has quite the group leading the way. Here are three players that coach Brian Kelly needs to be aware of heading into the week 10 matchup of LSU football vs. Alabama.
LSU football vs. Alabama: 3 players to know on the Crimson Tide defense
1. Freshman S Caleb Downs
When coach Nick Saban starts a freshman on his defense, you know that player is bound to be a stud. For safety, Caleb Downs, this is precisely the case.
The former five-star out of Hoschton, GA, is one of, if not the best in the country at his position, regardless of age. You can even claim he’s been the best on the entire Crimson Tide defense.
Through eight games, he leads the team in tackles (63) to accompany his two interceptions and one forced fumble. If a freshman is doing things like that, it’s safe to say you’ve found yourself a diamond.
However, it’s important to remember he’s just a freshman, and he’s not immune to freshman-like mistakes. In the loss to Texas, he made some big mistakes, leading to Longhorn touchdowns.
In the LSU football vs. Alabama game, we could see some fireworks. Still, if Downs and the Crimson Tide secondary can play to their top level, they are more than capable of posing quite a challenge to coach Brian Kelly and the Tiger passing game.
2. Junior LB Dallas Turner
When it comes to veterans on this defense, Dallas Turner is about as good as they come.
Turner was widely viewed as the heir to Will Anderson Jr, and while he hasn’t been quite as productive as the former first-rounder, he’s certainly put up some big-time numbers, recording 8.0 sacks through eight games.
While Jayden Daniels isn’t the easiest person to get on the ground, if anyone can do it, it might be him.
LSU football vs. Alabama in week 10 is feeling like a bit of an offensive battle, but if Dallas Turner manages to disrupt things early, it could be tough for coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers.
3. Junior CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
Finally, no Crimson Tide defender list would be complete without at least mentioning junior cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.
The veteran is widely viewed as a potential first-rounder in this coming NFL Draft, and it’s for good reason. Standing at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, he’s on the leaner side but makes up for it with speed and football IQ.
His numbers aren’t precisely crazy good, having recorded just 20 tackles and five passes defended. Still, this is more of a situation of quarterbacks avoiding him than anything else.
He’s no stranger to running routes for wide receivers, so being sure not to lock on to a target will be essential for Tiger quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The week 10 matchup of LSU football vs. Alabama is set for 6:45 p.m. CST on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. The annual game will air live on CBS from Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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