Kane Wommack Talks Husky Position Battle

Alabama has a sneaky quiet position battle on the defensive side of the ball, replacing senior DeVonta Smith at the Husky position after Smith transferred to Notre Dame. Alabama rotated several players at that position last season behind Smith, including DaShawn Jones and Red Morgan.

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Alabama now has more viable bodies at that position, including Utah transfer cornerback Cam Calhoun and sophomore Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. What does Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack hope to see from that group during camp?

"Obviously, you got a couple of guys over there that are fighting and battling," Wommack said. "Now, I think our depth in the secondary, which is a lot better than where it was a year ago, allows us to try a number of different guys out there. That is a very versatile position.

"It's similar to the wolf in all the things that we ask that position to do, yet at the same time very different. But that guy's got to be able to fit the run, he's gotta be able to play man, he's gotta be able to play zone coverage, blitz of the edge, all that stuff.

"Consistent execution is critical," Wommack continued. "That player can really eliminate part of the field if they do their job in terms of perimeter blocking and teams that try to throw perimeter screens out there. If you've got a Husky that can take the field space away, I think we've got a number of guys that seem to be doing a really good job right now. So pleased with where those guys are going, and I really like the competition in the room."

One player he was asked about specifically was Utah cornerback transfer Cam Calhoun.

"There are similarities to an outside corner and a Husky," Wommack said. "And yet, at the same time, when you're playing in that slot portion of the field, it really is a different position. Fundamentally, there's a lot of carryover, but schematically, there's a lot of difference in what we're asking [Cam Calhoun] to do. There were things that we started Cam on, really towards the end of spring, and then got him involved in the summertime, and then those guys have done a really good job.

"Mo and Jason Jones kind of working him back and forth in both rooms so that he is available to play at corner and also at the nickel position. I like what I see from him so far."

You can watch Kane Wommack's full press conference here.

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_.