DeMarcco Hellams, Alabama Defense Rising to Expectations

When it comes to the quest for the 2022 national title, the Alabama Crimson Tide defensive unit is ready to step up and show out.

Safety DeMarcco Hellams, returning for his senior season, said, "The best thing about this defense is we're not shying away from any expectations that we have for ourselves. We go out and we attack every day with the Bama mindset."

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Hellams explained that the Bama mindset is "having discipline, playing together as one and just being aggressive on defense."

He returns to the field for Crimson Tide in 2022 after posting 87 tackles (54 solo) and three interceptions in 2021.

The Alabama defense has been lauded by many as having the potential to be among the very best of the Saban era, including but far from limited to Will Anderson Jr and Dallas Turner on the edge, as well as Hellams and Jordan Battle in the defensive backfield.

"Me and Jordan, we've been together since I first got on campus. That's like s brother to me," said Hellams. "We're very comfortable with each other. Sometimes we'll know what the other person is doing by just looking at each other."

"I love playing with Jordan."

He also said depth is a strength in the secondary this season. "We have a lot of guys who can play... We have a lot of guys who know multiple positions. So I feel like we have a lot of depth in the secondary this year."

As a returning senior, Hellams will be expected to be one of the leaders in the secondary. He is ready to take on this responsibility. "I just wanna make sure that before I leave here I pass on the tradition down to the younger guys about what the Bama standard is."

He solidified his focus on the 2022 campaign, rather than looking back at 2021, by explaining "We're on to a new year, so I'll set the standard for this year."

Kickoff against Utah State in Bryant-Denny Stadium is less than one month away.