Alabama football will have new starters and mostly new backups throughout the 2018 defensive backfield. Check out the top 10 players for the new-look secondary.
Alabama football will depend on less experienced players in the 2018 secondary. Of the 14 defensive backs on the 2018 roster, only two of them saw significant 2017 action beyond special teams.
In 2017, the Alabama football team broke up 66 passes and intercepted 19 more. Three returning members of the 2018 secondary, Deionte Thompson, Trevon Diggs and Shyheim Carter totaled five of the pass break-ups and one of the interceptions.
Seven returning players played in games last season. The three returning players with the most experience only had three 2017 starts combined. Tevon Diggs’ one start was in game one. Deionte Thompson’s two starts were in the College Football Playoff. Shyheim Carter played in every game but had no starts. Carter did play meaningful snaps at Star in the second half of the national championship game.
Put mildly, the 2018 secondary is unproven. Alabama football fans should not be overly concerned. There are several reasons for optimism the new group will prove itself quickly.
Four juniors will make a difference
Deionte Thompson played so well in the CFB Playoff, he is an expected lock at safety. The redshirt junior has always been athletic and he benefitted from his development being given ample time.
Junior Trevon Diggs did not have the advantage of gradual development. Asked to do much with limited defensive experience, he tried to rely on his athleticism. Insiders state the coaching staff was pleased with his spring work and confident he will be much improved this fall.
Shyheim Carter is another player who has gradually developed. Pencil him in as a game one starter at Star. The fourth impact junior is JUCO transfer Saivion Smith. Smith got game experience as a freshman at LSU. He has worked with the team since practices began for the Playoffs last season.
One safety slot and Money are wide-open
Thompson, Diggs, Carter and Smith will start fall camp in the first group at one safety, both corners and star. They are likely to earn starting roles for game one. The second safety slot and the Money position will be up for grabs.
The player with the best chance to earn the second starting safety slot is Xavier McKinney. He is athletic and plays a physical game. The sophomore saw action in 13 games last season. He performed well in the spring game. He is also a good fit at the Money position where Saban likes hard hitters to be a hybrid-linebacker type player.
Several more guys will push for playing time if not starting roles. Junior Jared Mayden is a good fit to play Money, having built himself up to resemble a linebacker. Sophomore Daniel Wright and redshirt freshman Kyriq McDonald are dynamic players capable of beating out some of the players mentioned above.
Redshirt sophomore Nigel Knott has been working for two years to learn how to play cornerback. Redshirt junior Keaton Anderson has been steady in special teams in the past.
What about the freshmen?
The freshmen class is filled with talent. Reports from summer 7v7 workouts have said Patrick Surtain Jr. and Josh Jobe have been particularly impressive. Surtain Jr. has often been compared to Minkah Fitzpatrick in terms of ability to play anywhere in the secondary. Football savvy insiders expect Patrick to earn a starting role sometime in 2018. Jobe, initially believed to become a safety, is now expected to get a chance at cornerback.
Eddie Smith and Jalyn Armour-Davis have the potential to become future starters. Tide coaches are very high on Smith. Armour-Davis is blessed with speed. Jalyn came to Tuscaloosa willing to redshirt as a freshman. He may be too valuable for that to happen.
Will the new Alabama Crimson Tide secondary have growing pains? Even the biggest optimist is forced to answer yes. Louisville has one of the nation’s top receivers in Jaylen Smith. But the Cardinals’ defense will be overmatched against the Tide offense. Arkansas State has a fine QB but the Red Wolves have to protect him against the tough Alabama football defensive front. A.J. Brown from Ole Miss is arguably in the top five receivers in the FBS.
The Tide secondary may struggle a bit against these teams. The Tide offense will prosper and likely explode against all three. There is ample time for the inexperienced secondary to settle in.
Next: Six Tide records could be broken this fall
It is somewhat troubling that Alabama football has lost its best edge rusher for the season. Terrell Lewis will not be easy to replace. Until the new Tide secondary gets big game experience, the Tide pass rush will be vital.