Alabama football defenders are playing the matching game this spring, correlating their assignments in Nick Saban’s scheme to what new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack asks them to do. For at least one defender, it’s been much “simpler” of an install than in past years.

“Guys are able to catch onto it more. It’s not as much of a ‘I’m waiting three days to try and figure out this one defensive call.’ (Wommack) does a great job of explaining everything to us. Where we got to go, what this position is,” grad student defensive tackle Tim Smith said.

Linebacker Deontae Lawson noted the team is “working fast” through the spring. Malachi Moore said coaches have been more deliberate in expressing technique in individual training periods. With a new coaching staff, eight defensive starters needing to be replaced and the introduction of a helmet communicator, there’s a level of turnover unseen in Tuscaloosa for nearly two decades.

Saban’s defensive standard was known for its complexity, which led to some breakdowns in recent years but also prepped players for the NFL’s systems. It’s not that the seven-time national champion failed to communicate with players — at least as it referred to playcalling — instead, as Smith and other players have noticed, the transition has been aided by some elements of Saban’s defense being similar to Wommack’s.

“That’s really how we’ve evolved,” Wommack said. “My dad was one of the originators of the 4-2-5 defense. We do those things, we still get four down looks, but we move in and out with that outside wolf backer into the boundary. So really, we’ve kind of evolved more towards (Saban) and he’s probably evolved a little bit more towards us. So the learning curve for our players is less than you would think.”

Dave Wommack, a defensive coordinator with stops at four different Southeastern Conference schools, passed down the ‘swarm’ scheme to his son. Kane Wommack noted that Saban deployed a 3-4 structure with three down linemen, four linebackers, and four defensive backs with the Dolphins. Over time, Alabama’s nickel package (five defensive backs) deployed the ‘STAR’ occupied mainly by Malachi Moore last fall. Wommack and Saban have met this offseason and exchanged notes.

Differences, at least in position titles, are: defensive ends are now called bandits, weakside linebackers-stings, edge rushers-wolves, stars-huskies and strong safeties-rovers. Former five-star recruit Keon Keeley is transitioning to bandit after being an edge rusher candidate last year. Wommack believes his frame can lend itself well to the dual responsibility of stopping the run with a hand in the ground and pressuring the pocket.

“For the most part the calls are simple,” Smith said. “They look the same as some of the calls that we ran last year. If you’re a ball player, you’re able to catch onto some of those things.”

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].