Alabama Football: Josh Jobe delivering early at cornerback

One player doing well in early Alabama football spring practices is sophomore cornerback Josh Jobe. Learning under the sage tutelage of guru Nick Saban and defensive backs coach Karl Scott will deliver bullish returns.

On a balmy Santa Clara night, nothing could go right for Alabama football. Clemson freshman wide receiver Justyn Ross bursts past junior corner Saivion Smith for a 74-yard touchdown, deepening the wound and deficit for the Tide.  A hobbled Smith departed the game via a cart with a lower leg injury.

Insert true freshman Josh Jobe.

Injuries ravaged Crimson Tide defensive backs all season. Starting corner Trevon Diggs succumbed to a season-ending broken foot against Arkansas. Freshman corner and likely contributor, Jalyn Amour Davis suffered an injury during warmups against Arkansas State.

Thrown into the national championship game with little experience is a tall task for any true freshman not named Tua Tagovailoa. Squaring off against a talented, stud receiver like Justyn Ross is a humongous task. He lost several battles, but he battled. Jobe showed great promise as he finished the game with two tackles and one pass breakup. Standing at a svelte six-foot-one and 186 pounds, the Miami native is ready to turn his appearance in the championship game into a full-time gig.

Key recruit for 2018 class

Jobe came to Alabama as one of five defensive backs in the 2018 recruiting class. He verbally committed to the Miami Hurricanes on June 14, 2015. Jobe de-committed on December 16, 2017. Next, he committed and signed with Alabama four days later. Jobe moved from Miami to Connecticut for his senior season because he could no longer play in Florida at the age of 19.

Tabbed as a four-star recruit at Cheshire Academy, Jobe was ranked as the number seven corner by 247 Sports and the top player in the state. Coming to the Capstone with high expectations, Jobe did not disappoint. He played in all 14 games, mostly on special teams.

Strong play needed in secondary

Jobe is getting some good reviews for his play so far this spring.

If Jobe continues his spectacular play, he will line up on the outside with star sophomore Patrick Surtain Jr. Trevon Diggs would inherit the nickel. Just the possibility of those three on the field at the same time would give offensive coordinators nightmares. Senior Shyheim Carter limited because of sports hernia surgery could slide into the dime position if he does not make a full time move to safety.

There are a wealth of options in the defensive backfield, a far cry from losing all the starters from the previous year. The secondary did a lot of bending but not breaking until the final game of the season. However, Jobe earning the starting job as a corner gives Nick Saban a versatile and unique defensive backfield.

Alabama football looks to regain the “Alabama factor.” A strong defensive backfield gives the Tide an advantage into returning to their previous form.