Alabama Football: Pair of defensive backs hit the portal
Alabama Football lost some secondary depth on Wednesday when two of its reserve cornerbacks entered the NCAA transfer portal. Redshirt junior Jahquez Robinson and redshirt freshman Tre’Quon Fegans both decided to look for greener pastures elsewhere just three days before the spring game.
Robinson was a 4-star cornerback in the class of 2020, but was unable to crack the lineup during his three years on campus. He played primarily special teams and saw reserve snaps in the secondary.
Fegans was a 4-star cornerback out of Alabaster in the class of 2022, and did not see the field last fall. Both players exhibited promising physical attributes for the position, but their wiry frames and long arms did not translate to playing time.
Wednesday’s news comes after Alabama lost two similarly built corners earlier this offseason, as Khyree Jackson transferred to Oregon and Eli Ricks opted to enter the NFL Draft.
Where do these departures leave the Alabama Football cornerback room?
Alabama Football is set at corner in terms of its starters, but depth could become a concern. Junior Kool-Aid McKinstry is a lock on one side of the field, and redshirt sophomore Terrion Arnold will likely man the other corner spot. Behind them, there is little to no game experience.
Redshirt freshman Earl Little II is a talented defensive back who should compete for a starting role in the nickel this offseason. Fellow redshirt freshman Antonio Kite is a versatile DB who the Tide may need to contribute at corner.
The only other scholarship cornerbacks on the roster are incoming true freshmen Dezz Ricks and Jahlil Hurley. Ricks was a 5-star recruit out of Bradenton, Florida while Hurley was a highly-ranked 4-star out of Florence, Alabama. Much like Robinson and Fegans, both Ricks and Hurley sport the length and body type of future NFL cornerbacks.
Hurts makes history. dark. Next
Alabama Football will need this duo to get acclimated very quickly to provide some quality depth. In addition, keep an eye on Coach Saban turning to the portal himself to add some experience at the position.