Alabama’s Da’Shawn Hand Focused on Improving as a Player [VIDEO]

Junior defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand is one of a handful of players working to replace A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed up front. 

After enjoying solid sophomore season that ended with four tackles in the national championship game, Hand said he doesn't even think about the past. His attention is squarely on improving his game in 2016.

"I don't think about that anymore," Hand said. "I'm just trying to focus on next season and having a good season next year."

Hand said he's working on effort getting to the ball and his technique as he tries to get better each year. One thing he's learned since arriving in Tuscaloosa is that he can't just rely on his natural talents to make plays.

"One little step and the whole play can go by you," Hand said. "That was the biggest thing."

The entire defense will be working under new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who took over for Kirby Smart a few months ago. Hand said that most of the players are already familiar with him so there's not much change on the field.

"He's not really new because he's been here before," Hand said. "A lot of people know him like when we were recruits because when we were in high school, he was here (at Alabama). There's not really much of a difference."