Alabama’s young secondary showing promise and progression
Alabama’s young secondary has been a point of concern for the fan base throughout the 2024 offseason, but the group continues to flash its sky-high potential. According to head coach Kalen DeBoer, the group competed admirably in Alabama’s second fall scrimmage on Saturday.
The corners covered well against a good group of receivers, and the safeties were punishing anyone who crossed the middle of the field. It will really benefit the Alabama defense if this secondary can continue to play physical and aggressive as it navigates the learning curve.
Junior transfer additions Domani Jackson and DaShawn Jones have become leaders of the cornerback room by default, as its only members with collegiate playing experience. Jackson has lockdown capabilities as a former 5-star with the physical traits of a future first round pick. Jones lacks those freakish qualities, but is a seasoned corner and is coming along nicely.
True freshmen Zabien Brown and Jaylen Mbakwe continue to push the vets, as both have been impressive in fall camp. Brown is mature beyond his years and could even find his way into the starting lineup once he gets over a minor upper extremity injury.
At the safety and Husky spots, Alabama should feel a little more stable. Malachi Moore returns in the defensive backfield and is one of the undisputed leaders of this football team. He has already appeared in an incredible 52 games for the Tide and has made plenty of plays along the way.
Moore has mostly played in the nickel, but he is a versatile defensive back who has also logged a lot of career snaps at safety. It appears he will move to safety in a full time role this fall, flying around the field and calling the shots in the Bama secondary. He should have his best season yet in 2024 and add to his career numbers of 144 tackles, five interceptions, and 17 pass breakups.
Keon Sabb will start at the other safety. The Michigan transfer was a significant contributor for the national champs last season, recording 28 tackles and a pair of interceptions. He will have an opportunity to put up big numbers in an expanded role this year.
Bama’s safety depth is quality on paper, but unproven in practice and will need to develop. Charlotte transfer Kam Howard at least gives it a backup with legitimate college experience.
DeVonta Smith is penciled in as the starter at Husky, and the physical redshirt junior could be primed for a breakout season. Though he doesn’t have much game experience, he enters his fourth season on campus and has drawn rave reviews from both coaching staffs during his time on campus.
Smith was expected to start at one of the safety spots last season before a fall camp injury derailed his season. The new staff must really like him in the nickel since it swapped him with Moore, a returning starter at the position.
Behind Smith are two very promising youngsters in true freshman Red Morgan and sophomore King Mack. Both should have some time to watch and learn this season, but the talk around the program is that they are ready to play if called upon.
Bama fans may have to tolerate some early-season growing pains from the secondary, but this group is looking better and better. With so much youth on the back end, it will only improve as the season goes on.