Alabama’s depth along the defensive line has already been tested just one week into the season, and the Crimson Tide are now facing an even greater challenge. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Jeremiah Beaman, who earned his first career start against Florida State, has been ruled out for the remainder of the year after suffering a knee injury during Wednesday’s practice.
It’s a crushing blow for a young player who had been pegged as one of Alabama’s top breakout candidates. Beaman stepped into the lineup last week in place of veteran co-captain Tim Keenan III, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. Though Beaman and the rest of the defensive front showed flashes, the absence of Keenan was glaring as Alabama surrendered 230 rushing yards to the Seminoles in a 31–17 loss.
Now the Tide find themselves in a precarious spot: Keenan remains out for Saturday’s home opener against Louisiana Monroe, and Beaman is no longer available to provide depth. The question is clear who will fill the void up front?
DeBoer’s Confidence in the Rotation
Head coach Kalen DeBoer addressed the situation during his weekly appearances, noting that Alabama won’t be relying on just one player to replace Beaman. Instead, the responsibility will fall to a committee of young defensive linemen who were already rotating against Florida State.
“It’s the same guys that were out there on Saturday, just more reps for them,” DeBoer said during his Wednesday evening Hey Coach segment. “Edric Hill’s got to step up and continue to play. James Smith has got to step up. Our two redshirt freshmen, London Simmons and Isaia Faga, got to grow fast.”
DeBoer acknowledged that mistakes were made in the opener, but he also stressed that those experiences are invaluable for the younger players. “They had to grow up fast,” he said. “That happens more and more, especially as a younger player. They’re going to get their opportunities, and I know they’ll make the most of it.”
The Leadership Factor
Losing Beaman hurts not only because of the on-field production but also because of the confidence the staff had in his development. As a redshirt freshman, he had already earned trust as the first defensive tackle off the bench. Now, the rest of the group must lean on each other and on their leaders.
Linebacker and co-captain Deontae Lawson put it plainly after the Florida State game. “We obviously missed [Keenan] a lot,” Lawson said. “We hope to get him back out here soon. But man, guys got to step up. We knew what we were up against. We knew the challenge we were facing and it’s all on us.”
Lawson’s words echo the mindset Alabama must adopt. With Keenan sidelined for at least one more week, the Tide can’t afford another letdown at the line of scrimmage.
Looking Ahead
The immediate silver lining is that Keenan’s recovery appears to be progressing well. DeBoer indicated during the SEC coaches teleconference that the senior is making “a ton of progress” and could potentially return for Alabama’s Sept. 13 matchup against Wisconsin. That would be a major boost before the schedule ramps up further.
Until then, all eyes will be on the group of underclassmen Hill, Smith, Simmons, and Faga. Each saw playing time against Florida State, and while their inexperience showed, the reps will only accelerate their growth. Saturday’s game against Louisiana Monroe provides a critical opportunity to iron out mistakes, build confidence, and prepare for tougher tests ahead.
Alabama’s defensive line is facing adversity early, but in Tuscaloosa, expectations don’t change. Beaman’s loss is a tough setback, but the Tide have the depth, talent, and leadership to weather it. As DeBoer emphasized, the opportunity is there it’s up to the next wave of linemen to seize it.