Alabama Football Practice Report: Inside the New "Wolves" Linebacker Unit

Alabama football is stepping into a new era at outside linebacker with a notable shift in talent. Unlike previous seasons that featured standout players like Will Anderson Jr., Dallas Turner, and Chris Braswell, this year’s roster lacks a proven superstar in the outside linebacker position.

With Turner’s 11 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss and Braswell’s eight sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss now in the NFL, the Crimson Tide is facing a significant void. This season, Alabama returns just four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks from the outside linebacker spot—a stark contrast to the impressive numbers of past players.

At Tuesday’s practice, AL.com observed the outside linebackers—rebranded as "Wolves" under defensive coordinator Kane Wommack's new "Swarm" defense. The viewing period provided a glimpse into how these emerging players are adjusting to their new roles.

Practice Highlights:

• The media was allowed to watch approximately 20 minutes of practice focused primarily on individual drills. There was minimal offensive vs. defensive interaction.

• It was evident that Que Robinson and Keanu Koht are leading the group. Both players stood out in drills and during the open Fan Day practice at Bryant-Denny Stadium, where they received first-team reps.

• Despite their prominence, neither Robinson nor Koht has started a game on defense for Alabama. Robinson is a redshirt senior, and Koht is a redshirt junior, making them the most experienced players at the position, though still relatively untested.

• The practice drills observed included pass coverage exercises. One drill featured a "Wolf" dropping into coverage against another "Wolf" running a route at half speed, with the covering player reacting to a simulated throw by position coach Christian Robinson.

• In a lighthearted moment, Koht was seen dancing to the practice music during a water break.

• Another drill involved starting on the goal line and running while looking over the shoulder. The player would then sprint to a staffer to catch a pass thrown by Christian Robinson.

• The final segment of the viewing period included a walkthrough with the defensive linemen. Robinson and Noah Carter were among those first lined up, but reporters had to leave before the drill concluded.

Looking Ahead:

While Robinson and Koht are currently leading the outside linebacker group, freshman Noah Carter is also a player to watch. Carter, who joined the team just before summer, demonstrated his potential by intercepting a pass and scoring during Sunday’s practice.

The progress of these players will be crucial as Alabama seeks to fill the substantial gap left by their NFL-bound predecessors.