After watching the impact Tua Tagovailoa and Jake Fromm among others made as true freshmen, college football fans and media pundits alike are starting to project fresh faces that will emerge next season.
Sports Illustrated released a list on Friday with the five incoming freshmen it expects to have much say on their respective teams this fall.
Regardless of losing six defensive backs to the National Football League, the secondary for the University of Alabama shouldn’t suffer a major drop in production – especially with it signing five-star cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr in the 2018 recruiting cycle. Surtain, 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, was one of the five guys SI is enamored with in terms of when football season returns.
The product of American Heritage High School (Plantation, Fla.) is doing well in summer workouts and was one of the top defensive backs in the class. He enters Tuscaloosa with intentions of battling Trevon Diggs for a starting role at corner, Shyheim Carter for an opportunity at nickel (star) or Xavier McKinney in a chance for the starting job at safety.
Due to his ball skills and intelligence, Surtain was not tested during his junior and senior year of high school. He recorded three interceptions combined in both seasons, while leading the team to two 5A state titles in 2016 and 2017. Surtain’s father, Patrick Surtain Sr., served as his coach and played 11 seasons (1998-08) in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs.
With Nick Saban regarded as a defensive genius and Surtain having a strong skill set, the Crimson Tide will find ways to get its young star involved. Alabama fans look to become well acquainted with Surtain, as he anticipates growing into being the next Tide marquee legend.
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.
