Alabama’s defensive secondary will be one of the most exciting groups to watch in spring practice and next season.
Josh Jobe and Jalyn Armour-Davis leave for the NFL Draft, but several players return to the Crimson Tide from the 2021 campaign. Alabama has a new cornerbacks coach in Travaris Robinson, and the 40-year-old is an elite recruiter and developer of defensive backs. The secondary recorded 14 of Alabama’s 15 interceptions last year, but fans want to see the “No Fly Zone” backfield from 2015 to 2017.
Nick Saban had Mel Tucker (2015) and Derrick Ansley (2016-17) coaching defensive backs.
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The Tide posted 54 interceptions in those three years, including 42 from its secondary (77.8 percent).
Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon Humphrey got selected in the first round of their respective NFL Draft classes. Eddie Jackson would have been a first-rounder if not for sustaining a leg injury.
Fitzpatrick, Humphrey, Jackson, Levi Wallace, Tony Brown, Ronnie Harrison, and Deionte Thompson are playing in the National Football League. Alabama fans look to see if Robinson can have the secondary back at big production. He has an opportunity to do so with how the lineup could fall.
A projected look at Alabama’s secondary for spring football and next season is below.
CB: Elias “Eli” Ricks/Khyree Jackson
CB: Kool-Aid McKinstry/Terrion Arnold
Freshman to Watch: Earl Little Jr.
Summary: Alabama brought in a game-changer for its secondary in Eli Ricks from the transfer portal.
He has 16 games of experience via Louisiana State University, totaling 31 tackles, six pass breakups, and five interceptions in two years. Ricks is healthy from a shoulder injury and will start on defense. The 6-foot-2, 196-pounder brings physicality, ball skills, instincts, and elite coverage skills. He creates a chance for Alabama’s defensive staff to have its best on the field.
Kool-Aid McKinstry earned Freshman All-SEC honors in 2021. He tallied 17 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, and one interception. McKinstry broke up a pass versus Auburn during the fourth overtime in the Iron Bowl.
His instincts gave the ball back to the Tide, and Bryce Young found John Metchie for the two-point conversion to earn a victory.
McKinstry has been training with former Tide safety Justin Woodall.
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Woodall believes the sophomore defender will be great in Alabama’s defense. He is learning to master details.
Khyree Jackson got playing time last year in 12 games.
He recorded two pass breakups and can be an elite cornerback. The 6-foot-3, 197-pounder will challenge Ricks or McKinstry for a starting spot in spring football. Terrion Arnold did not see action as a freshman, but he will have a chance to show his skills in the spring. He arrived as a safety in 2021 class, but Alabama has worked him at corner.
The 6-foot, 188-pounder possesses a skill set that resembles Eddie Jackson. Earl Little is the freshman to watch. He comes from American Heritage High School (Plantation, Fla.), and the program has produced several big-play corners, including Patrick Surtain II – a Crimson Tide alum.
Alabama fans love what Little brings from studying his tape.
Star (Nickel): Brian Branch/Malachi Moore
Summary: Brian Branch dominated the second half of 2021 in Alabama’s nickel defense.
He finished sixth on the roster for tackles (55) and had stops tackles for loss with one sack. Branch recorded nine pass breakups (team-high), one quarterback hurry, and one fumble recovery in 15 games. He executed assignments well in the Crimson Tide’s last four meetings against Auburn, Georgia, Cincinnati, and Georgia. Branch had 18 tackles, one tackle for loss, four breakups, and one fumble recovery. The 6-foot, 190-pounder is versatile, but he’s played his best at nickel.
Branch has set himself up to have an electrifying junior season.
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Malachi Moore earned the starting job at nickel as a freshman in 2020.
He impressed Tide fans with his ball skills, totaling six breakups and a team-high three interceptions.
Moore earned Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American honors. His production dipped in 2021 as he turned in 17 tackles, two stops for loss, one pick, one quarterback hurry, and one breakup. Pete Golding, Alabama’s defensive coordinator, sees Branch and Moore as ‘plug and play’ defenders.
Both have experience, but Branch gives more thump at the spot.
Money (Dime): DeMarcco Hellams/Daniel Wright
Summary: DeMarcco Hellams played free safety in 2021, but his physical profile fits the linebacker/safety hybrid role better in the dime.
He returns for his senior year, and the Washington D.C. native loves to hit. Hellams is an enforcer in the box and makes bone-crushing tackles.
He suffered an ankle injury in fall camp, but Hellams finished with 88 tackles.
Hellams had 2.5 stops for loss, three pass breakups, and three interceptions. He emerged as a playmaker during the second half of the season. The 6-foot-1, 208-pounder amassed 28 tackles, three pass breakups, and one interception in Alabama’s last four games of 2021. Hellams led the Tide for tackles (nine) versus Georgia in the SEC Championship Game and got his third pick.
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No announcement has happened on if Daniel Wright is gone or returning for his sixth season with the Crimson Tide.
He worked in the dime linebacker/safety role in 2021 and performed well. Wright had 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, three breakups, and one quarterback hurry. He gives Alabama a core player on special teams, but Wright stepped up on defense.
If Wright does not return, Alabama could have Khyree Jackson or Terrion Arnold as the backup to Hellams.
Strong Safety: Jordan Battle/DeMarcco Hellams
Summary: Jordan Battle surprised some with his decision to return to school.
NFL Draft evaluators had a late first to early second-round grade on him. He collected 87 tackles, three pass breakups, and three interceptions. Battle returned two picks for touchdowns, including a 42-yard pick-six versus Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. His choice to return gives the Crimson Tide a leader in the secondary to communicate calls across the board.
Hellams’ profile fits the strong safety too. He is good in coverage, but Hellams is more aggressive and productive in the box.
We will see where Alabama ultimately plays him.
Free Safety: Malachi Moore/Kristian Story
Summary: Malachi Moore would thrive as a free safety.
He has the instincts, ball skills, communication skills, and coverage abilities to play the ball.
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Moore’s only interception of 2021 came in Alabama’s season opener versus Miami, and the coaching staff started him at free safety. The Crimson Tide is at its best when Moore and Brian Branch are on the field together. He excelled at nickel as a freshman, but Alabama moved Minkah Fitzpatrick to free safety, and he was even better. It is time for Moore to move to safety.
Kristian Story was the definition of an “athlete” at Lanett (Ala.) High School. He played quarterback and safety, becoming a superstar for a Class 1A program. The 6-foot-1, 209-pounder received playing time in 12 games in 2021. Story worked primarily on special teams, but he has the tools to be a valuable free safety. Spring football will tell how much he’s grown in the system.
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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.
