Jalyn Armour-Davis Reflects on His Career at Alabama

With the 2022 NFL combine set to begin this week, Alabama cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis reflected on his career in Tuscaloosa.

Armour-Davis was tabbed as a 4-star prospect by every major recruiting outlet coming out St. Paul's Episcopal High School in Mobile, Alabama. As a freshman in 2018, he suffered a season-ending knee injury during pregame warmups in week 2. Armour-Davis would have to find another way to be remain part of the team and continue to grow his game.

“So, early in my career, my way of staying part of the team was just getting familiar with my playbook,” said Armour-Davis. “Learning that playbook as a freshman coming in... That's a very hard playbook to get a grasp of. I took that time to really get a grasp of it without being on the practice field.”

“I was able to watch other guys make mistakes in practice and learn from them that way, rather than being out there and learning from my own mistakes. When it was time for me to come back, I never really felt out of the loop. Even though it took me a while to be a starter, I was never anything less than a second string.”

Get our free mobile app

Armour-Davis appeared in eight games in 2019, contributing primarily on special teams. He recorded two tackles and a pair of pass breakups. As a redshirt sophomore in 2020, Armour-Davis carved out a larger role in the Alabama defense as reserve defensive back while continuing to earn playing time on special teams.

The Alabama native was a standout during spring practice in 2021 and earned the nickname “Kick-Slide King” because to his impressive footwork.

“One of the things that you have to do to be a corner in [Saban's] defense is play press-man technique,” said Armour-Davis. “That is something that I took pride in being the best at. I always worked on my press-man technique, my footwork, and my ability to mirror receivers off of the line.”

Armour-Davis started 11 games last season, he finished with 32 tackles, four pass breakups, and was tied for the team lead with three interceptions, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors.

He could have transferred and chased his dream at another school, but instead he was patient, kept working and made the most of his opportunity when it came.

“Transferring was never an option for me. Something my mom instilled in me as a kid was how to fight through adversity and how to persevere through tough times,” Armour-Davis said. “I knew early in my career, when I had those injuries, that it was just the card that I was dealt.”

“Honestly, being at a place like Alabama, it can be hard to build yourself back up the depth chart after an injury. It just pushed me even more, because I knew what I had in me and I knew what I was capable of. I kept the confidence in myself, I continued to work, and I let the rest take care of itself.”

Standing at 6-foot-1, 192-pounds, Armour-Davis has an NFL-ready frame and length. The former 100m state champion has tremendous speed and great eye discipline.  He showcases excellent footwork and his experience on special teams will also make him a compelling prospect.

Armour-Davis spoke about the impact coach Nick Saban has had on him. “It was four years of my life that I will never forget. It wasn't just in terms of how he taught me to play the position, but it was just the person that Coach Saban is," he said. "He is the most consistent and hard working person that I have ever met in my entire life.”

Players will begin interviews on Monday, February 28, workouts will begin on March 3 in Indianapolis, Indiana and air on the NFL Network. Defensive backs will workout on Sunday, March 6.