A podcast was released via Touchdown Alabama Magazine on leadership voices needed for the Crimson Tide in the locker room, as it jumps back into conference play next week.
Listen to “Bama needs a voice on defense now” on Spreaker.
One of the players with this mindset is Xavier McKinney.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound safety from Georgia has been a staple for weekly honors from Alabama’s coaching staff and leads the team and the Southeastern Conference in tackles (41) through five games.
McKinney chimes in with one tackle for loss, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one interception.
He was one of few guys visibly frustrated against Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship in January, and works tirelessly to not have that feeling occur again.
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As a second-year starter, the former four-star has taken on the responsibility of communicating calls across the formation and getting players lined up.
He did it versus Southern Mississippi and it led to what Nick Saban thought of as the ‘most complete’ game played by the defense to this point.
As the team returns to fundamentals and incorporates some things for Texas A&M, McKinney is one to spearhead a championship run.
“X is a really hard worker,” Saban said on Wednesday.
“He sets a great example. He is always full speed ahead in how he practices and in how he tries to do things. He’s very focused, whether it’s meetings, walkthroughs or whatever it is.”
Anfernee Jennings is another voice.
The 6-foot-3, 259-pounder has done everything for the Tide’s defensive front. He has earned at least three weekly honors thus far and his 29 tackles stands third on the roster.
The senior leads the defense in both tackles for loss (five) and sacks (three), while having three quarterback pressures, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.
It has been the duo of Jennings and McKinney that has Alabama just outside the top-10 nationally in scoring defense (14.8 ppg, No.13).
Saban sees both as leaders, however, he said McKinney sets the tone every day.
“He is obviously talented and explosive, but he really tries to do things the right way and I think he has made a tremendous amount of improvement,” he said of McKinney.
McKinney will take this defense to Kyle Field next week to face Jimbo Fisher and a talented Aggies’ offense.
He knows the Tide is ready to chart its journey back to the CFP and he wants to make sure the job is finished this time.
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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.
