Your eyes didn’t lie to you, and the statistics were not illusory.
The 2021 Alabama defensive line was outstanding. In fact, it was the most productive one since that generational 2016 Crimson Tide defense. But, where that team was led by a superstar, the 2021 iteration was one of veteran talent, improved second-year starters, and a quiet leader finally emerging. The end result was an-across-the-board group as good as any outside of Athens — and in some ways, even better.
Take a look at the splits here.
How do you top last season’s 3.13 YPC? Easily, as it happened.