When Alabama football takes the field Aug. 30 against Florida State, it will begin the second season of a monumental shift. Nick Saban’s defensive system remains gone, with coordinator Kane Wommack’s vision now firmly in place.

Wommack’s group looks to build more consistency in 2025. That quest begins Wednesday, when UA starts preseason camp.

As the Tide prepares to start the season, here’s three questions for the defensive group to answer during camp.

Could this be the best secondary in the SEC?

Ahead of camp, Pro Football Focus ranked Alabama’s secondary No. 2 in the nation, behind Texas. It’s possible that it could be even better.

Bray Hubbard took a star turn last season, with Keon Sabb injured in the Tennessee game. He’ll play an even larger role in 2025, even with Sabb back in the picture.

The cornerback room looks to be in great shape, with Domani Jackson making appearances on preseason All-America teams. Zabien Brown is also back, with a year of experience under his belt.

Utah transfer Cam Calhoun will be looking to make an impact in camp. He’ll likely be a depth piece at corner, but has fit in well through spring football, according to the Crimson Tide’s coaches.

“You always look at experience value out of the transfer portal,” Wommack said. “And I think we’re addressing some needs from some experience standpoint of a guy that can play multiple positions. He can do a lot of different things. He’s shown physicality.”

The entire secondary group has enormous potential entering 2025. In camp, Wommack and company will hope they start showing it.

How will the linebacking core replace Jihaad Campbell?

Alabama got at least one blessing from Diego Pavia. The Vanderbilt quarterback’s eligibility lawsuit led to Justin Jefferson getting an extra year of eligibility, one the linebacker gleefully accepted.

Jefferson will play a huge role for the Crimson Tide this year, with Jihaad Campbell off to the Philadelphia Eagles. He’ll take over the other inside linebacker role opposite Deontae Lawson, a position of strength for UA last year.

Lawson is coming off an ACL injury that ended his 2024, and Jefferson has never been a full-time starter. Behind them, Colorado transfer Nikhai Hill-Green will provide the depth.

A plus for the group is the leadership from the Tide’s one returning team captain.

“I walked into a meeting, looking for a coach actually,” DeBoer said at SEC media days, speaking about Lawson. “I walked in. It was him holding a meeting with the linebackers I guess yesterday morning. Listened for about 30 seconds. I knew that meeting was in a good position. Coaching it like a coach. When you have guys on the field that are like him, that understand the depth, the details, you know you’re headed in the right direction and have a chance.”

Where will the pass rush come from?

Another problem presented by the departure of Campbell: He was a major factor in last year’s pass rush. Campbell could come on a blitz, or line up on the edge, where he started his Alabama career, and provided a fearsome presence for quarterbacks.

Camp will be a time to find some replacements for the production. DeBoer pointed to one returnee he has high hopes for at media days.

“Jihaad, the versatility he brought, that’s why he was a high-end draft pick,” DeBoer said. “I think guys like LT Overton jump out with me. LT was there a lot last year. Those are the next steps you want to take. Not just he, but a lot of guys finishing the plays. LT has it in him, the seal set. He has those instincts. Continues to hone in on taking it to the next level.”

DeBoer also mentioned Quay Russaw as a player who could step up in that area. Russaw will likely replace Que Robinson as the Crimson Tide’s starting edge for 2025, taking over the position Kane Wommack calls the “wolf.”

Besides those two, Alabama will look for Keon Keeley to improve in his third season with UA. Jah-Marien Latham has plenty of experience and could make an impact, along with Tim Keenan.