There may not be a deeper position group in college football next season than the Alabama secondary.
The Crimson Tide returned both starting safeties (Bray Hubbard, Keon Sabb), both starting corners (Zabien Brown, Dijon Lee), an experienced Husky (Red Morgan), and still somehow didn't suffer any depth departures to the Transfer Portal.
Safety, in particular, is deep. Behind the starters are three returning players who would start for quite a few teams around the country: Zay Mincey, Ivan Taylor, and Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Because of that, it might not be realistic to expect 5-star freshman safety Jireh Edwards to carve out a quick role for the Crimson Tide. He'll contribute on special teams, but there's a whole lot of talent standing between him and a role defensively.
And yet, it's impossible to discount him, too. He doesn't look like an average freshman. He has the chiseled frame of someone who has spent a couple of years in a college strength and conditioning program.
Zabien Brown summed it up perfectly at SEC Media Days on Wednesday:
“He’s a freak of nature. He’s been doing a great job so far," Brown said.
Zabien Brown called 5-star freshman Jireh Edwards a 'freak of nature' at SEC Media Days
Edwards is already listed at 6-foot-2 and 221 pounds. Keeping him off the field won't be easy, but there's a lot of talent ahead of him on the depth chart.
He's got the versatility and physicality to get on the field in unique ways, however. Getting him on the field as a hybrid linebacker/safety, particularly on third downs, could be intriguing for Kane Wommack. Edwards provides coverage skill while being more than happy to stick his nose into the box and lay the wood on runners.
Brown wasn't the only Alabama DB who had positive things to say about Edwards, either. Bray Hubbard made it a point to offer praise to the Tide's star freshman as well:
“He’s doing a really good job learning the system and playing fast,” Hubbard said. “He plays physical. I’m excited to see what his role is.”
Physically, Edwards is ready to contribute. Not many freshmen come in as advanced as he is in that department. The wear and tear of a college football season shouldn't affect him like it will others.
His ability to contribute defensively will come down to whether he's up to speed mentally. That's what makes Hubbard's comments exciting. Edwards has clearly been putting in the work to learn the playbook.
Alabama may ultimately have too much depth for Edwards to overcome as a freshman. But early returns on the 5-star have been overwhelmingly positive. It's a matter of when, not if, he becomes a star for the Crimson Tide on the back end.
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