Alabama DB Zabien Brown Says “Expect A Lot” From Two Tide Freshmen

Alabama junior defensive back Zabien Brown knows a thing or two about starting in the Crimson Tide's secondary as a true freshman after he started all 13 games for defensive coordinator Kane Wommack during the 2024 season after he signed with the Crimson Tide as a five-star cornerback.

Get our free mobile app

Starting as a freshman in the SEC is a lot like being thrown into the deep end of a pool and told to learn to swim, and Brown quickly learned that teams in the SEC aren't afraid to test young stars. In his first SEC game against Georgia, he was targeted often by Carson Beck and the Bulldogs. Still, Brown started to swim with a game-sealing interception on Georgia's final offensive play. He's turned into a top defender in the two short years that he's been at Alabama, going up against top-tier pass catchers week in and week out, turning in highlight plays and game-winning moments, including two game-changing pick-sixes just before halftime against Tennessee and in the CFP against Oklahoma last season.

He sees that same potential in two highly-rated freshmen that signed with Alabama in December: five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds and five-star safety Jireh Edwards.

"When I was still in the dorm this last semester, they came in as my two roommates, so being able to know those guys off the field, I feel like they're great humans," Brown said at SEC Media Days. "I see how hungry they are. I see how much they contribute to their daily process, and I feel like you can expect a lot from them."

It's going to be hard for them to crack an Alabama rotation that features five-star players Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee, multi-year starters Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard, and key contributor Red Morgan, but Alabama has shown it isn't afraid to play freshmen if the coaching staff deems them ready, and Edmonds and Edwards came in hungry for early playing time.

Taco Casa brings you our coverage of SEC Media Days live from Tampa, Florida.

Via Taco Casa

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_.