Meeting a dominant standard will be in effect for Alabama football on defense, even with Jonathan Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson, Tim Williams, Reuben Foster, Ryan Anderson, Eddie Jackson and Marlon Humphrey all pursuing the National Football League. Head coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt anticipate solid production from five individuals in the upcoming season, including one in the secondary who started showing signs of life in 2016.
Before arriving at the University of Alabama, Laurence “Hootie” Jones built a name for himself as a ball-hawking, hard-hitting safety at Neville High School in Louisiana. In linking up with Cam Robinson and Cam Sims, he continued the Tide’s spurning of Louisiana State University by signing in its 2014 recruiting class.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Jones turned in 20 total tackles, a career-high five pass breakups and a forced fumble through 15 games a year ago. Following his output of three tackles and a forced fumble in the Tide’s 49-30 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville, Saban and his coaching staff named Jones as its special teams player of the week. He earned two starts versus Texas A&M and Florida (SEC title game), while recording career highs in tackles during meetings with the Aggies and Kent State Golden Flashes. Against Texas A&M, Jones assisted Alabama in limiting a high-flying offense with quarterback Trevor Knight 164 passing yards.
The versatility of Minkah Fitzpatrick could lead to more opportunities for Jones. After having a team-high six interceptions and filling in admirably for Eddie Jackson (leg) at free safety, Fitzpatrick proved that he’s productive at any role in the secondary. His feel for playing at cornerback, star and safety not only makes him interchangeable, but it also sets up an intriguing look of two 6-foot-2 and taller players at both safety spots.
Ronnie Harrison, who finished with 85 tackles, seven pass breakups, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown last season, lines up at strong safety – standing at 6-3 and 215 pounds.
With two four-star prospects laying hits in run support and creating turnovers, the Crimson Tide has all the makings for being special in its defensive backfield for a third straight year. Jones witnessed the blueprint in seeing how Jackson, Landon Collins, Nick Perry and Geno Matias-Smith ran things, and as of the 2017 season to come, secondary coach Derrick Ansley will look for him to emerge.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag
