The strength of the entire Alabama football team is the depth and talent in the secondary. In particular, there's no better safety room in college football that he one in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama returned both starters at safety with Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb coming back, making up arguably the best duo in the country. They also returned three quality backups in Ivan Taylor, Zay Mincey, and Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., all of whom are capable of playing winning football on Kane Wommack's defense.
Despite that, freshman safety Jireh Edwards could be in line for a prominent role in his first season on campus.
Edwards' talent has been undeniable in practice, and he'll make an impact this season, even if his role is limited due to the depth of talent in front of him.
Wommack praised Edwards after Tuesday's practice, hitting on a couple of strengths the freshman has that he will try to utilize this season. But he's also pondering a big question, and one that only Edwards himself is going to be able to answer.
"Jireh’s one of the most instinctive playmakers I’ve ever seen coming out of high school," Wommack said. "Very physical. He’s got phenomenal tracking of the ball. His blitz IQ and awareness is really high, and so he can create production out of that package as well.
"Really, for him, it’s about putting the whole thing together. Jireh’s gonna play for us, but how much does he play for us early in the season and then in what situations - those are the question marks that we’ve really kinda challenged him: can you put everything together so that we can throw you out there on any given down? He’s still working towards that.”
Jireh Edwards has a chance to make a big impact for Alabama as a freshman
Wommack offered significant praise for Edwards, the former 5-star recruit. Calling him one of the most instinctive playmakers he's ever seen is no small thing. But the most interesting part of what Wommack said is about Edwards' "blitz IQ."
That points to an early role for Edwards in sub-packages where he potentially lines up at nickel or even at linebacker or safety and can use his closing speed and awareness to get after the quarterback and make a quick impact.
Edwards is one of several young Alabama players who have the versatility to play multiple roles for the Tide. Xavier Griffin is another. Edwards could see snaps at safety or husky, while also shifting down to off-ball linebacker in some packages because of his size and physicality.
He'll make an impact on special teams quickly, too. He's got a lot of talented players to overcome to earn a significant role on Alabama's defense as a freshman, but his talent has been undeniable so far. He's going to see some work, and Wommack will put him in situations that allow him to make an impact by using his most polished skills.
Any bigger role than that will have to be earned against one of the deepest rooms in college football at any position. The fact that he's pushing for it already shows how talented he is.
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