Marlon Humphrey has arrived as one of the best in the National Football League.
He was the starting cornerback for one of the league’s best defenses last season, as the Baltimore Ravens ranked in the top-10 for total defense (No. 4, 300.6 ypg), pass defense (No. 6, 207.2 ypg), first downs allowed (No. 2, 276) and scoring defense (No. 3, 17.6 ppg).
Humphrey propelled the Ravens to allowing the lowest rating to opposing quarterback, 77.5, while collecting 13 interceptions in its 14-2 campaign for 2019. As an individual, the Hoover (Ala.) native recorded 65 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two touchdowns in 16 games.
Humphrey has a knack for being around the football, and the Ravens saw him create game-changing plays all year.
Baltimore suffered a loss to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs; however, Humphrey was awarded his first trip to the Pro Bowl and first-team NFL All-Pro honors.
On Sunday, his peers voted him at No. 86 for the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2020.
.@marlon_humphrey‘s Top 100 debut!
Tune in to #NFLTop100 on @NFLNetwork! pic.twitter.com/xKOTj7nR3p
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 27, 2020
In a list voted on by the players, Humphrey’s hard work had finally paid off. Since being taken in the first round (No. 16 overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Ravens, he’s totaled 136 tackles, seven interceptions, 40 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two scores in 46 career games. Humphrey was an instinctive five-star recruit in Alabama’s 2014 signing class.
After redshirting his initial freshman year, he played a big role in helping the team win a national championship.
The 6-foot, 197-pounder collected 45 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, eight breakups and three picks in 2015.
He would then be part of one of the best Nick Saban-coached defenses assembled in 2016.
While the pass rushers got much of the credit, Humphrey tallied 36 tackles, three tackles for loss, five breakups and two interceptions.
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He won first-team All-American honors and earned three Southeastern Conference title rings with the Tide.
As he continues to grow, Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh sees a Super Bowl with Humphrey in the secondary.
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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.
