The senior defense for Alabama is “putting his foot down” after acknowledging that the Crimson Tide team didn’t meet expectations last season.

The University of Alabama football program is known for its championships, its discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence instilled by head coach Nick Saban. But after a 2024 season that ended without a College Football Playoff appearance—something once considered unthinkable in Tuscaloosa—senior linebacker Dallas Turner is stepping up and making it clear: mediocrity is not an option.

In a fiery address to the media following the team’s first spring scrimmage, Turner did more than just answer questions—he issued a mandate.

“We didn’t meet the standard last year, plain and simple,” Turner said. “I’ve been here long enough to know what’s acceptable and what’s not. And what we put on the field last season—especially on defense—wasn’t Alabama football. That changes now.”

Turner, who passed up the 2025 NFL Draft to return for one final season with the Crimson Tide, has emerged as the vocal leader of a defensive unit that was once the pride of the SEC but has slipped in consistency over the past two seasons. While his decision to return surprised some, those closest to the program say it speaks volumes about Turner’s commitment to restoring Alabama’s defensive dominance.

A Season That Missed the Mark

By Alabama standards, a 10-3 finish and a New Year’s Six bowl appearance would be acceptable at nearly any other Power Five school. But expectations in Tuscaloosa are different. For a program with six national championships since 2009 and a reputation for turning defenders into first-round draft picks, 2024 felt like a letdown.

The defense, in particular, came under fire. Despite flashes of brilliance—like the dominant win over LSU in October—the unit struggled with consistency, allowing key fourth-quarter drives in losses to Texas, Tennessee, and eventually Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Those breakdowns led to Alabama missing the College Football Playoff for just the third time in its 11-year history.

Turner says the frustration from that campaign has lingered.

“We didn’t close out games. We didn’t dominate. We didn’t strike fear. And that’s what Alabama defense is supposed to do,” he said. “We let teams hang around. We let them get comfortable. That ends now.”

Leading By Example

Known for his explosive first step and pass-rushing prowess, Turner has long been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. But this spring, he’s embracing a new identity—one rooted in accountability, leadership, and holding teammates to the high bar set by legends like C.J. Mosley, Reuben Foster, and Will Anderson Jr.

Teammates say his presence in the locker room has changed dramatically since last year.

“You can tell it’s personal for him,” sophomore cornerback Earl Little Jr. said. “He’s not just talking about being great. He’s showing it—every lift, every rep, every film session. When a senior like that is going full speed every single day, you can’t help but follow.”

Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, who took over in January after Kevin Steele’s retirement, called Turner “the cornerstone of everything we’re building right now.”

“Dallas understands what it means to wear that Alabama jersey,” Wommack said. “He’s got the fire, the intelligence, the discipline. He’s what every defensive coach dreams of having.”

Wommack, hired away from South Alabama where he engineered one of the nation’s top Group of Five defenses, brings a more aggressive, turnover-oriented scheme to Tuscaloosa. He says Turner is the ideal fit to lead the charge, especially as Alabama transitions to a faster, more hybrid-based system.

“He’s not just a linebacker or an edge rusher,” Wommack said. “He’s a field general. He sees things before they happen. That’s rare.”

Culture Reset

Turner’s call for accountability hasn’t been limited to the defense. According to multiple players, he’s addressed the entire team during offseason workouts, challenging them to embrace the “Alabama way”—a reference to the program’s tradition of structure, effort, and discipline.

“There were guys last year who weren’t bought in all the way,” Turner admitted. “You could see it in practice, in meetings. That’s not on Coach Saban. That’s on us as leaders. We let it slide. But not anymore.”

Junior safety Malachi Moore, another veteran returning to help anchor the secondary, said Turner’s impact has been felt across the roster.

“Sometimes you need someone to say the hard stuff,” Moore said. “Dallas is doing that. He’s not trying to be liked—he’s trying to win. And that mindset is contagious.”

The Saban Factor

While speculation about Nick Saban’s eventual retirement continues to swirl, the 73-year-old coach has shown no signs of slowing down. In fact, this offseason may be his most energized in years, fueled in part by the sting of the 2024 season and the emerging leadership of players like Turner.

Saban has praised Turner repeatedly in spring press conferences, calling him “one of the most focused, selfless leaders I’ve ever coached.”

“When Dallas talks, people listen,” Saban said. “And it’s not just because of his talent—it’s because he does everything right. He’s a technician. He’s smart. He studies. He leads. That’s what we need to get back to championship football.”

Saban’s message to the team this spring has been equally direct: talent alone isn’t enough.

“We have to dominate the details again,” Saban told reporters. “We’ve got to earn everything. And that starts with leadership in the locker room. Guys like Dallas are showing what that looks like.”

Young Guns Rising

While Turner leads the charge, the success of Alabama’s defense in 2025 will also depend on the development of younger players—particularly in the front seven.

Redshirt freshman James Smith, a former five-star defensive lineman, has emerged as a standout in spring camp, drawing comparisons to former Crimson Tide great Jonathan Allen. Freshman linebacker Sterling Dixon is also turning heads with his sideline-to-sideline speed.

Turner has taken both under his wing.

“It’s not just about what I do,” he said. “It’s about making sure the next generation knows what it takes. When I leave here, I want to know I left it better than I found it.”

Linebackers coach Robert Bala said Turner’s mentorship has accelerated the growth of the younger players.

“He’s in their ear constantly—on the field, in the weight room, during film. He wants them to succeed just as badly as he wants to succeed himself,” Bala said. “That’s a real leader.”

Revenge Tour Mentality

If spring practice is any indication, the Crimson Tide are entering the 2025 season with a chip on their shoulder. Alabama players have referred to the upcoming campaign as a “revenge tour”—a mission to reclaim their spot atop the college football world.

“We’ve got the schedule to prove ourselves,” Turner said. “Texas again, SEC road games, Georgia. We’re going to have to earn everything. But that’s exactly how we want it.”

Alabama opens the season with a neutral-site clash against USC in Dallas before returning home to host Texas in Week 2—a rematch of the 2024 loss that began their slide. Turner calls it “a chance to rewrite the story.”

“We remember every second of that game. Every missed assignment. Every big play they had. It’s been playing in our heads since September,” he said. “We’re not going to be the same team this time around.”

Eyeing Legacy

For Turner, this season isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about legacy. In an era of NIL deals and early draft declarations, Turner made a choice that bucks the trend: to return and lead.

He’s already cemented himself as one of the best defenders in the SEC. But he wants more.

“I want people to say I was part of the solution,” he said. “That when things got tough, I didn’t run—I led. That I helped bring Alabama back to what it’s supposed to be.”

And while individual accolades like the Butkus Award or being a top-10 NFL Draft pick are within reach, Turner says there’s only one goal that matters.

“A championship. That’s it. That’s why I came back. That’s what we’re chasing.”

As Alabama eyes redemption in 2025, it will do so with a new mindset—one forged by failure, fueled by hunger, and led by a senior who refuses to accept anything less than greatness.

Dallas Turner has put his foot down. Now it’s up to the rest of the Crimson Tide to follow his lead.