The Alabama football depth chart is close to being revealed.

Preseason camp wraps up this week, and the first game against Western Kentucky isn’t far away.

Who will take the field on defense? We have a decent sense based on preseason interviews and intel. But not every spot is officially decided just yet.

“I would say some of those things are kind of up in the air and are going to be a work in progress,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said Thursday. “Not solidified. If you’ve got a depth chart, there might be some “ors” in different spots. That’s hopefully understandable.”

Understandable, and something AL.com also decided to include for a few spots in our final depth chart prediction for the defense a week before the first game.

We predicted what the offense will look like Thursday. Now, here’s what we think the Alabama depth chart will be on defense.

Defensive line

Starters: LT Overton or Jah-Marien Latham (Bandit), Tim Keenan III (nose guard), Jehiem Oatis (defensive tackle), Que Robinson (Wolf)

Reserves: Tim Smith, Keanu Koht, Damon Payne Jr., James Smith, Qua Russaw, Keon Keeley, Hunter Osborne, Jordan Renaud, Yhonzae Pierre, Isaia Faga, Jeremiah Beaman, Edric Hill, Noah Carter, Jayshawn Ross

Analysis: Tim Smith is easily in the mix as well, but Keenan and Oatis might be the first two down linemen on the field. Overton and Latham have both earned time at the Bandit spot. Overton, in particular, had himself a dominant first scrimmage. Robinson will get the first crack at Wolf, what is essentially an edge defender, but don’t be surprised to see Koht, too. He seems to be in the mix for some playing time, too. Payne is another player who likely earned himself some decent snaps up front. Expect to see a lot of these players, considering there will be a rotation on the defensive line.

Linebackers

Starters: Deontae Lawson (Mike), Jihaad Campbell (Stinger)

Reserves: Justin Jefferson, Justin Okoronkwo, Jeremiah Alexander, QB Reese, Cayden Jones, Sterling Dixon

Analysis: Jefferson drew strong praise at different times during camp, but Lawson and Campbell get the nod as the starters. They both have starting experience and are talented players. Jefferson is a solid third option, though.

Defensive backs

Starters: Malachi Moore (safety), Keon Sabb (safety), Domani Jackson (cornerback), DaShawn Jones or Zabien Brown (cornerback), DeVonta Smith (Husky)

Reserves: Red Morgan, Jaylen Mbakwe, King Mack, Zavier Mincey, Kameron Howard, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., Bray Hubbard, Jahlil Hurley

Analysis: There’s been no question about Moore and Sabb’s spots at safety. They should provide a steady presence on the backend of the defense. Jackson, the Southern Cal transfer, is a good player who has the ability to be excellent and will man one cornerback spot. The questions have been more so at the other cornerback spot as well as Husky (nickel). Smith seems to be the favorite to start at Husky, but there’s a good chance Morgan could be used as well. He saw some time with the first group throughout camp, but Smith will likely get the first opportunity. As for the other cornerback, it’s unclear if there’s been a winner at that spot. Will Alabama go with the more experienced option in Jones (the Wake Forest transfer) or the true freshman with more upside in Brown? It’s possible we see Jones at first considering he has taken a collegiate snap before, and then Brown takes over the spot before long. Or, maybe Brown has shown the coaching staff enough for them to trust him to start right away. It just seems like it will be difficult to keep Brown off the field.

Specialists

Starters: Graham Nicholson (kicker), James Burnip (punter), Kneeland Hibbett (long snapper)

Reserves: Conor Talty, Reid Schuback, Nick Serpa, Anderson Green, Tucker Cornelius

Analysis: This was the case heading into the preseason, and it remains the case heading into the season. This might be the best group of special teams starters in the country, including the scholarship long snapper.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.