After collecting his first interception against Florida State, Levi Wallace is growing in confidence as Alabama now faces Vanderbilt to begin its Southeastern Conference schedule.
During his second consecutive start versus Colorado State, the former walk-on led the team with five pass breakups – including one that resulted in an interception for Ronnie Harrison.
He was sound in coverage throughout last week’s matchup, and despite Rams’ quarterback Nick Stevens throwing a pair of touchdown passes, neither of the two came with Wallace defending.
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Hailing from Tucson, Ariz., Wallace took home Special Teams Player of the Week honors from the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff against the Seminoles but was named among the Defensive Players of the Week for his performance versus Colorado State. His five tackles tied for third-most on the team, and he enters this week with eight total stops through three games.
While four-star Trevon Diggs concluded fall practice as one of the projected starters in the defensive backfield, the sophomore cornerback has witnessed the emergence of Wallace.
Upon the end of the Tide’s meeting with Florida State, head coach Nick Saban talked about Wallace’s experience in the system and how the senior has become a very smart player.
Prior to his rise, Wallace carried the duties of defending Amari Cooper, Christion Jones, DeAndrew White and Calvin Ridley when he arrived in 2014 as a scout-team player.
Going against the best in practice helped him earn a scholarship before the 2016 season.
Wallace turned in 11 tackles in 11 games that year, and totaled a career-high three tackles in matchups versus Kent State and Mississippi State. His presence on special teams won him weekly honors from the Tide’s coaching staff against the Bulldogs.
Despite handling tasks at wide receiver and defensive back at Tuscon High School, the 6-foot corner has earned both respect and playing time in Saban’s defense.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
