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Alabama Football: Grading the 2020 class secondary position group

By Ronald Evans

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 14: Patrick Surtain II #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 14: Patrick Surtain II #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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With 22 signees in the Alabama football, 2020 class, let’s review the newcomers projected to play in the defensive backfield position group.

The Alabama football secondary will see new faces playing key roles in the 2020 season. New starters will be needed at cornerback, nickel cornerback and likely both safety positions. Unless Xavier McKinney surprises and delays NFL entry for another season, only nine defensive backs will return from the 2019 roster.

There is a chance, the returning players could number 10, depending on Scooby Carter’s final decision to transfer or not. First, Carter was for sure leaving, then he was returning. Tracking whether he remains in the transfer portal has become tiresome. The Alabama football staff may lose patience with him soon.

Among the nine expected returning players, only Patrick Surtain II has significant starting experience. Freshman, Jordan Battle got four starts as a dime safety in the 2019 regular season. Sophomore, Josh Jobe received one starting nod against Duke.

Next in line for playing experience in the secondary is redshirt sophomore, Daniel Wright. Sophomore, Eddie Smith saw some action as a freshman but has appeared in only one 2019 contest. Almost all the other snaps from 2019 freshmen have been on special teams.

Getting into the playing rotation as a freshman, defensive back is difficult. The position is hard to learn and much harder to play, particularly for the cornerbacks, who rarely get any double-team help in Nick Saban’s defense. Alabama football insiders state the staff has confidence Jalyn Armour-Davis will develop into a key player. DeMarcco Hellams, Brandon Turnage and Marcus Banks are also viewed as talented players who could blossom into starters.

Where does that leave the five newcomers? Technically, it is four newcomers and athlete, Kristian Story. The best position for Story may prove to be safety, but he will get other looks as well.

2020 Alabama Football Signing Class, Defensive Backs

  • Brian Branch; 4-Star, No. 3 ranked Safety and No. 58 player overall
  • Malachi Moore; 4-Star, No. 17 ranked Safety and No. 178 player overall
  • Ronald Williams; 4-Star, JUCO All-American Cornerback
  • Jahquez Robinson; 4-Star, No. 22 ranked Cornerback
  • Kristian Story; 4-Star, No. 6 ranked Athlete

More than a few recruiting experts believe Branch is underrated as the No. 58 player. Some Alabama football insiders predict Branch will start at safety, either alongside Jordan Battle or ahead of him. Josh Jobe and Ronald Williams will battle to be the starting corner, opposite Patrick Surtain. Moore, Robinson and Story may follow the standard pattern of learning and developing under Nick Saban and Karl Scott.

Grading the 2020 Crimson Tide Defensive Back Class Potential – ‘B’

There are so few ‘locks’ in any defensive back class, a rating of ‘B’ should not be interpreted as a low rating.

Next. Kiffin will make SEC West stronger. dark

All the player rankings in this post are from the 247Sports Composite. Check back with Bama Hammer as we grade each position group in the 2020 class.

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