Consistency was an issue for Alabama’s secondary in the last two seasons. It forced 11 interceptions last season, yet surrendered 226.1 passing yards per game.
The Crimson Tide made a change this offseason in hiring defensive backs coach Mel Tucker from the National Football League. It moved defensive coordinator Kirby Smart to inside linebackers coach, in hopes that Tucker will provide energy and fundamentals to its secondary.
Senior cornerback Cyrus Jones and safety Geno Smith both have taken on leadership roles, but expect more from sophomore corner Tony Brown in 2015. He is a former five-star recruit.
Brown, 6-foot, 195 pounds, looks to earn a starting role this fall.
He totaled 10 tackles, including seven solo stops and a pass breakup in 13 games last season. Brown held his own against Ole Miss’s receiver Laquon Treadwell, despite a 23-17 loss.
He tallied four stops, a pass breakup, a blocked kick and a quarterback hurry against Mississippi. Brown accounted for three tackles, including one for loss in Alabama’s spring game. He took to Instagram this week to show his offseason work ethic. Brown displays exceptional top-end speed and ball skills. He loves to be physical with receivers.
Brown was an early enrollee in January 2014.
The Beaumont, Texas native totaled 191 tackles, four interceptions and 31 pass breakups in his career at Ozen High School. He is a dual sport athlete, excelling at track and field and football. Brown will look to have a huge impact in 2015.
Stephen M. Smith is a staff writer and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
