The top hits, moments for 2016 Alabama defense

As the Alabama football team takes a few days off for the holidays, it’s a good time to look back at some of the moments that defined the season. Since this was a year dominated by the defense, let’s reflect on some of the big plays made by that aspect of the team.

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Da'Ron Payne TD at Ole Miss

What made this defense different was its ability to score points. The biggest score, it could be argued, came with Alabama still trailing Ole Miss early in the second half in Week 3. Ryan Anderson came around the end, blind-sided Chad Kelly to for the fumble that Da’Ron Payne reached into the end zone. It was the first of three defensive line touchdowns of the season.

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Jonathan Allen Superman

If there’s one clip that symbolizes the 2016 Alabama defense, it’s Jonathan Allen’s Superman sack of Texas A&M’s Trevor Knight. When running back Trayveon Williams went low for the block, Allen just went horizontal.

"It all happened so fast, but that moment felt like slow motion," Knight said. "I know we had enough protection. Our back went to cut and he just flew over the guy. It felt like he was flying through the air forever. Incredible play.”

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Da'Ron Payne shames OL

Payne makes a second appearance for an example of brute strength. His handling of LSU guard Josh Boutte went viral after the 10-0 win in Baton Rouge. The video says it all. Watch it here.

"Yeah, that's kind of what he tries to do to me every day at practice," a smiling Bozeman said, "so I get a pretty good feel for that."

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Marlon Humphrey Pick 6

The 10 defensive touchdowns started on Week 1. Alabama was up just 10-3 when Marlon Humphrey returned an interception 18 yards to start the season-long trend.

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Mack Wilson's kickoff coverage

Though this isn’t technically on defense, linebacker Mack Wilson’s kickoff coverage in the Texas A&M game was something to remember. His hit on Speedy Noil was probably the hardest any Alabama player delivered this season.

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Jonathan Allen fumble return

Allen scored the second defensive line touchdown of the Ole Miss game in the fourth quarter. Tim Williams forced the fumble that Allen caught and rumbled 75 yards for the Tide’s final score.

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Jonathan Allen fumble return, Part II

He did it again against Texas A&M. Alabama led by less than a touchdown when Allen scooped another fumble to give the Tide all the cushion it needed in a 33-14 win.

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Rashaan Evans goal-line stick

After replacing Shaun Dion Hamilton, linebacker Rashaan Evans delivered quite a hit on the goal line against Florida in the SEC Championship. Evans fit the gap and denied the touchdown. Watch it here.

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Tim Williams' TD

Alabama’s outside linebacker was best known for his quarterback hits, but he got a chance to score at Arkansas after scooping a fumble.

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Minkah Fitzpatrick TD

There was another defensive touchdown that night in Fayetteville. Minkah Fitzpatrick returned an interception more than 100 yards in another momentum swinging moment.