Versatility birthed Minkah Fitzpatrick into a star during his first two years at Alabama.
In lining up at both star and safety – replacing Eddie Jackson – the New Jersey native helped the Crimson Tide win two Southeastern Conference championships and a College Football Playoff national championship in 2015, earning Freshman All-American and first team All-American honors.
Fitzpatrick has accounted for 111 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, 18 pass breakups and eight interceptions (four returned for touchdowns), but looks to be returning to a familiar position.
Before signing in the Tide’s 2015 recruiting class, the 6-foot-1, 201-pounder was a five-star prospect and one of the nation’s elite cornerbacks. He watched the trio of Cyrus Jones, Marlon Humphrey and Anthony Averett anchor both spots in 2015 and 2016, but as of spring ball and the 2017 football season, Fitzpatrick has expressed excitement in returning to his old roots.
He told Michael Bratton of Saturday Down South that “he’s where he is most comfortable” at cornerback, during Thursday’s player interviews before the team’s second practice session.
After seeing the damage he created against offenses in different roles, Tide fans can only imagine the havoc Fitzpatrick will inflict on quarterbacks and receivers in his most natural state. With Humphrey pursuing the National Football League, Fitzpatrick and Averett will be the outside corners while Tony Brown and Shyheim Carter work at both corner and star.
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.
