If you do not believe that football is a brotherhood, take a closer look at how current Alabama players view the former standouts. Every all-conference, All-American and high draft pick athlete was taught from someone who was in their shoes at one point in time.
The lesson learned are geared toward both football and life itself.
This year’s defensive secondary – headlined by Xavier McKinney, Shyheim Carter, Trevon Diggs, Patrick Surtain II, Jared Mayden and Josh Jobe – have a great opportunity to rival the groups from 2009 and 2016.
Despite both teams having fierce pass rushers, both defensive backfields recorded timely interceptions and for the 2016 unit: it turned mistakes into points.
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Veterans leaders such as Eddie Jackson, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, Anthony Averett and Levi Wallace were on that team.
Regardless of it not winning a national championship, it returned six of 16 interceptions for touchdowns and made up a defense known for big plays.
In filling shoes left behind from Jackson, Fitzpatrick and Deionte Thompson, Mayden told Brian Pride of Touchdown Alabama Magazine that the biggest lesson he learned at Alabama came from Jackson.
*Mayden and McKinney speak at 4:48 mark of video
“He showed me that when you get older, don’t really worry about doing things fast all the time,” Mayden said on his advice from Jackson. “Just take your time and figure out the schemes people are trying to do to beat you.”
A senior from Sachse, Texas, Mayden is pushing to win the job at free safety.
The 6-foot, 205-pounder totaled 18 tackles in 2018, but was one of the nation’s best defensive back prospects in the 2016 recruiting class.
Xavier McKinney, a junior, returns for his second year at strong safety.
He filled up the stats sheet beautifully last season, accounting for 74 total tackles – including six for loss and three sacks. The native Georgian totaled 10 pass breakups and had two interceptions through 15 games.
McKinney is a preseason candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award (nation’s top defensive back) and a first-teamer for the All-SEC preseason team via media personnel.
According to him, it was Fitzpatrick, Harrison, Averett and Wallace that taught him.
“I learned preparation from those guys,” McKinney said. “Just getting ready for the game and preparing the right way for the game and for practice.”
After what happened in the final three matchups of 2018, the current stars for the Tide must apply the wisdom and reclaim the title of “No Fly Zone.” The coach is in place with Charles Kelly, but now it is about getting all the talented players on the field and watch them work.
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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.
