Alabama Defensive Backs Showing ‘Significant’ Development

Ahead of the 2024 season, Alabama's secondary was the main concern for the team, as it lost four starters: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Terrion Arnold, Caleb Downs, and Jaylen Key. McKinstry, Arnold, and Key went to the NFL draft, while Downs transferred from Alabama after Nick Saban retired.

Get our free mobile app

After a 2024 season that saw the Crimson Tide not only survive but thrive in the secondary with new starters Domani Jackson, Zabien Brown, Keon Sabb, and DeVonta Smith, Alabama returns four starters in the secondary from a season ago, and has stronger depth at both cornerback and safety than it had in 2024.

Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack was asked about his safety depth after Alabama's sixth practice of fall camp, and he spoke highly of the development of the group.

"I don’t want to put the cart before the horse, saying this here, but I do think, to this point, we have shown significant amount of maturity and development from our defensive back room," Wommack said. "You think about where we were going into the Tennessee game a year ago. I think I mentioned this to you guys before, right? We played six players for five positions up until that game. And I’m talking the vast majority of snaps that mattered most. And five of those guys went out.

"We are in a much better position now with the depth. And I would say probably one of the more aggressive turnarounds that I have ever seen from a year to another year in terms of guys that you trust to get on the field. And I think that’s a tip of the cap, right, in terms of Courtney Morgan and our defensive staff have done in recruiting. And then I think the development that you’ve seen from Maurice Linguist and Jason Jones to bring those young guys along has put us in a position to go compete at a much higher level this year, from a depth standpoint, than where we were a year ago.”

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.