Alabama Football: Nick Saban not content with his safeties
By Ronald Evans
Alabama Football lost three safeties to the 2023 NFL Draft. After Transfer Portal exits by Trequon Fegans, Jahquez Robinson and Khyree Jackson, the Alabama Crimson Tide secondary group is 13 players. Five of the 13 are true freshmen, with one of the five, Tony Mitchell suspended from the team.
It has been long discussed Nick Saban is interested in increasing the secondary roster with one or two additions. Saban’s primary focus appears to be bringing in an additional safety.
Based on multiple reports, three recent offers are open to potential new Alabama football players.
Louisiana cornerback, Trey Amos is reported to have received his first transfer offer from the Alabama Crimson Tide. Amos was a 3-Star as a high school recruit in the state of Louisiana. He has been a solid performer for three seasons with the Ragin Cajuns. His coverage stats are impressive enough to believe he could compete for a starting job in Tuscaloosa. LSU is likely to be the toughest competition in landing Amos. Other schools having offered Amos are Auburn, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Florida and Miami.
The most probable addition to the Alabama Football roster is former UAB safety, Jalen Key. Key made an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa a couple of weeks ago. He is back this week on an official visit. Key had a recent final list of six programs. Two of them were Ohio State and Oregon. Key’s last official will be with Alabama and he is no longer expected to visit Columbus and Eugene. Along with the Crimson Tide, Ole Miss and Florida State are believed to be his closing finalists.
Key has considerable experience in a five-season college football career. He was a Conference USA, All-Conference Honorable Mention last season. Key was a slow-developing player at UAB, but after the 2022 season, he is one of the top-rated safeties to have entered the Transfer Portal.
Alabama has most recently offered JUCO safety, Tyler Woodard. Woodard is an offer for the 2024 class.
What about current Alabama Football players?
Key has one more season of eligibility. If he could win a starting job for the Crimson Tide, who would he bump? Key would take a starting safety job from either Malachi Moore or super-freshman, Caleb Downs. Another odd man out would be Kristian Story.
Trey Amos would not unseat Kool-Aid McKinstry. He might overcome Terrion Arnold at corner, or Earl Little Jr. at the Star position. Many Alabama football fans think Arnold’s best position is safety.
For Nick Saban to become content with his 2023 secondary, it takes more than six, dime starters. If Amos and Key are added, the 15-man defensive back roster needs nine guys able to consistently perform. Saban might say for enough protection from injury, it takes 10.
Alabama can be solid in its defensive backfield without Key or Amos. It would be stronger with them. The downside is potential frustration from current Crimson Tide players.