Alabama’s Defensive Tackle: The Unseen Force Poised to Transform the Entire Defense This Season

The 2025 University of Alabama football season was brimming with anticipation—a fresh start, renewed vigor, and eyes set on reclaiming that dominant identity the Tide fans cherish so dearly. Yet, just days before the opener, the game plan got upended in a brutal way. Tim Keenan, the seasoned nose tackle and the backbone of the defensive line, went down with a surgery-requiring injury, leaving a gaping hole in the front defense. Meanwhile, linebacker Deontae Lawson was still shaking off the rust from his own ACL setback, visibly handicapped early on. Into this breach was supposed to step Jeremiah Beaman, the Birmingham-schooled four-star recruit with the grit and athleticism to compensate for his smaller frame. But fate dealt another harsh blow when Beaman tore his ACL in that very first clash against Florida State, sidelining him for the year. The confidence defensive coordinator Kane Wommack placed in Beaman was immense—he’d seen flashes of brilliance that promised a breakout season. Now, fully recovered and hungrier than ever, Beaman is gearing up to seize control of the defense in 2026, with teammates and coaches alike backing this upcoming surge. The stage is set for a comeback story Alabama’s defense desperately needs. LEARN MORE

When the 2025 season started for the University of Alabama’s football program, it was supposed to be one of hope, excitement, and a breath of fresh air.

But a week before kickoff, the season got flipped completely upside down.

Fifth-year senior nose tackle Tim Keenan suffered an injury that required surgery and had immediately set back Alabama’s defensive line for a few weeks.

Keenan was the heart and soul of the defense and for a team that was trying to recapture its identity, it lacked what it needed the most.

Veteran linebacker Deontae Lawson was also there, but for the first few weeks of the season, he had just come off an ACL injury, and he was noticeably slower than usual.

But in Keenan’s absence, it was supposed to be defensive tackle Jeremiah Beaman to step up.

The former four-star recruit out of Birmingham doesn’t have the size that Keenan has, but he possesses the power and athleticism to make up for it.

But after the first game against Florida State, Beaman tore his ACL, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Coming into the season, Beaman had gained a lot of trust from defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and anticipated a big step from his freshman year, where he only suited up for three games.

“Really pleased with Beam and the steps that he has taken this spring,” Wommack said during spring camp in 2025. “You saw pieces of that at the end of the season, even in bowl preparation and then what he was able to do and execute in the bowl game. He did a really nice job for us in the bowl game. [He] took his game to another level in the spring. And so there’s a big body, a big frame that can move. He’s athletic, and he is operating with consistency that we can trust. I’m excited about his trajectory.”

But now that the hardest part of recovery is over for Beaman, it’s now all about stacking reps and earn his spot in the rotation.

Wommack said last month, “I think he’s hungry. You feel the sense of urgency from him.”

Not only did Wommack have high praise for the redshirt sophomore, both Keenan and Lawson were asked about who they think would step up in the 2026 season.

Lawson said linebacker QB Reese, but Keenan had other thoughts.

“Definitely Jeremiah Beaman,” Keenan said. “He went down early in the season due to his ACL or whatnot, but he’s going to come back and make a tremendous impact.”

The cards seem to call for a big season from Beaman. It was supposed to happen last year, but the football gods had other plans for him.

Now, as he approaches the 2026 season with a clean bill of health, it’s his turn to take a stranglehold on this defense.

Bama Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Alabama. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.