For the first time in the history of SEC Media Days, Alabama did not have a preseason first-team All-SEC selection on the defensive side of the ball this year.

The event dates to 1985, meaning the Crimson Tide broke a four-decade streak. Alabama did have wide receiver Ryan Williams and Kadyn Proctor on the first-team offense, but no first-team defensive players for the first time in the event’s history.

It’s something I had not considered until my longtime friend and former co-worker Josh Bean asked me when was the last time it happened. I didn’t know, so he and looked it up and confirmed that it has never happened before.

Alabama placed 11 players total on the first, second, and third All-SEC teams, including defensive linemen Tim Keenan and LT Overton, linebacker Deontae Lawson and defensive back Domani Jackson on the second team and defensive backs Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb on the third team. Offensive linemen Jaeden Roberts and Parker Brailsford also made the second team, with running back Jam Miller on the third team.

There are a few things to note to place this in proper context. The SEC now has 16 teams, making it more difficult to get players on the first team than it has been in the past; the league had 10 teams until 1992, 12 until 2012 and 14 until 2024.

Also, after three-plus decades exclusively in the Birmingham area, SEC Media Days has started to move around to different locales (including Dallas in 2024 and Atlanta this year). That means there’s less of an “Alabama-friendly” electorate than in previous years.

This is probably not a major concern. After all, what really matters is the postseason All-SEC team rather than the preseason All-SEC (and winning, always winning).

Still, it’s worth noting and a bit strange, considering that Alabama’s defense is probably stronger — or at least more proven — across the board than its offense heading into 2025. Lawson and one of the defensive backs have a strong chance for all-star consideration by season’s end.

Below is the full list of Alabama’s first-team preseason All-SEC picks on defense, by year. Note: In some years only a first team was picked, in others only a first and second team.

1985: Cornelius Bennett, LB; Jon Hand, DL; Curt Jarvis, DL; Freddie Robinson, DB

1986: Cornelius Bennett, LB; Wayne Davis, LB; Curt Jarvis, DL

1987: Kermit Kendrick, DB

1988: Kermit Kendrick DB; Derrick Thomas, LB

1989: Keith McCants, LB; Lee Ozmint, DB

1990: Efrum Thomas, DB

1991: Robert Stewart, DL; John Sullins, LB

1992: John Copeland, DL; Eric Curry, DL; Antonio London, LB; George Teague, DB

1993: James Gregory, DL; Lemanski Hall, LB; Antonio Langham, DB

1994: Tommy Johnson, DB

1995: Shannon Brown, DL; Deshea Townsend, DB

1996: Darrell Blackburn, DL; Kevin Jackson, DB; Dwayne Rudd, LB; Deshea Townsend, DB

1997: Michael Myers, DL

1998: Fernando Bryant, DB; Chris Hood, DL

1999: Kenny Smith, DL

2000: Kindal Moorehead, DL; Reggie Myles, DB; Saleem Rasheed, LB

2001: Saleem Rasheed, LB

2002: Jarret Johnson, DL; Kindal Moorehead, DL

2003: Brooks Daniels, LB; Antwan Odom, DL; Freddie Roach, LB

2004: DeMeco Ryans, LB

2005: Roman Harper, DB; DeMeco Ryans, LB; Charlie Peprah, DB

2006: Ramzee Robinson, DB

2007: Simeon Castille, DB

2008: Rashad Johnson, DB

2009: Javier Arenas, DB; Rolando McClain, LB

2010: Mark Barron, DB; Marcell Dareus, DL; Dont’a Hightower, LB

2011: Mark Barron, DB; Josh Chapman, DL; Dont’a Hightower, LB; Robert Lester, DB; Courtney Upshaw, LB

2012: Nico Johnson, LB; Robert Lester, DB

2013: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, DB; CJ Mosley, LB

2014: Landon Collins, DB; Trey DePriest, LB; A’Shawn Robinson, DL

2015: Cyrus Jones, DB; Reggie Ragland, LB; A’Shawn Robinson, DL

2016: Jonathan Allen, DL; Reuben Foster, LB; Eddie Jackson, DB

2017: Rashaan Evans, LB; Da’Shawn Hand, DL; Da’Ron Payne, DL; Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB

2018: Raekwon Davis, DL; Anfernee Jennings, LB; Deionte Thompson, DB; Mack Wilson, LB

2019: Raekwon Davis, DL; Trevon Diggs, DB; Anfernee Jennings, LB; Dylan Moses, LB

2020: La’Bryan Ray, DL; Dylan Moses, LB; Patrick Surtain, DB

2021: Will Anderson, LB; Christian Harris, LB; Josh Jobe, DB; Phidarian Mathis, DL; Malachi Moore, DB; Henry To’o To’o, LB

2022: Will Anderson, LB; Jordan Battle, DB; Eli Ricks, DB; Henry To’o To’o, LB

2023: Kool-Aid McKinstry, DB; Dallas Turner, LB

2024: Malachi Moore, DB; Deontae Lawson, LB

2025: None