Spring practice will answer a lot of questions, including the quarterback competition, who replaces Bradley Bozeman at center, a solidified No. 2 running back and who becomes the primary wide receiver on offense.
Of the issues at hand for the University of Alabama football program, the new look for its defensive backfield should be an interesting piece to tackle too.
Moving forward from Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, Tony Brown, Levi Wallace, Anthony Averett and Hootie Jones won’t be easy, but in the way Nick Saban recruits players for the secondary, the Crimson Tide returns a multitude of pieces that are ready to be challenged.
Daniel Wright, a rising sophomore, is one of those players.
Hailing from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the four-star safety made a solid contribution last season with his efforts on special teams. He blew up Florida State wide receiver Keith Gavin on a kickoff return to open Alabama’s season opener against the Seminoles at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
To follow up that showing, Wright collected 10 tackles and was recognized three times via the coaching staff as a Special Teams Player of the Week honoree. During conversations with players, the vibe on the 2017 signee is that he ‘enjoys’ making plays on special teams.
In his 11 seasons at the helm, Saban uses the third aspect of football in determining which individuals earn an opportunity to gain time on offense or defense. Taking his size, 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, and hard-hitting prowess into account, Wright would make an ideal dimeback.
The dimeback, or sixth defensive back on the field, serves in situations to have better pass coverage, or in Saban’s case it also can provide a faster defense against the run and a strong pass rusher if needed.
With Alabama in its nickel and dime looks 80-90 percent of the time, it gives Wright range as a boundary corner versus the run while putting him in curls to flat on passing plays. Reflecting on Minkah Fitzpatrick, he spent a lot of time in dime last season – especially in conference games.
Fitzpatrick, a projected top-five pick in the NFL Draft, played at 203 pounds with the same height as Wright (6’1″) through 13 games. Seeing how the New Jersey native was able to record 16 tackles for loss in his tenure (eight in 2017), one can expect some big things from Wright.
He filled in for Fitzpatrick at home versus Louisiana State University, following the All-American sustaining a hamstring injury and should he pack on about 10-20 pounds, Wright stands every chance to possibly start in dime next fall.
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 @CoachingMSmith.
