Spring football returned to the University of Alabama on Friday, March 11.
Fans of the Crimson Tide are excited for this edition of athletes taking the field, as Nick Saban and the program look to reclaim the crown of national champions. With 15 practice sessions – including the A-Day Game – the staff writers for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will provide in-depth previews on marquee players.
We move to the third marquee player on Alabama’s defense to profile, and it’s strong safety Jordan Battle.
Jordan Battle
-Classification: Senior
–Position: Strong safety (DB)
-Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
-Height: 6-1
-Weight: 206 pounds
–Strengths: Physicality, secure tackler, good in run sport, leadership, experience, communication, sound in coverage, speed
–Weaknesses: Can be offset by elite route runners, takes bad angles at times in run support, needs to watch his head upon making hits
Summary for spring practice
Jordan Battle returns as Alabama’s leader in its defensive secondary.
He could have pursued the NFL Draft, but he chose to come back for a national championship run.
The South Florida native has grown into a dependable starter.
He arrived on campus as a four-star in 2019 and totaled 30 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, one interception, and one fumble recovery in 13 games. Battle has started 28 games since 2019, totaling 152 tackles, four stops for loss, seven breakups, and three interceptions. He finished fourth on the team for tackles (86) in 2021 and had three breakups, one quarterback hurry, and three picks. The 6-foot-1, 206-pounder brings experience and communication skills to spring practice.
He possesses speed, physicality, leadership, and is a secure tackler in run support. Battle has proven to be sound in coverage with seven career breakups and four interceptions. He has some areas in his game that need improvement before the 2023 draft, especially if he wants to be a solidified first-round pick. Battle will use spring practice to take better angles in run support upon making tackles. He has moments where he gets offset by elite route runners in coverage. Battle needs to position himself better at safety when giving help over the top. He also gets called for targeting at times too and needs to watch his helmet in making stops.
Battle has come a long way in Nick Saban’s system. He trusts the senior to have the secondary in order.
The Crimson Tide could have its best defensive backfield since 2017, and Battle is ready to make it happen.
Related profiles
–Will Anderson, Outside Linebacker
–Henry To’oto’o, Inside Linebacker
–Aaron Anderson, Wide Receiver (freshman)
–Jeremiah Alexander, Outside Linebacker (freshman)
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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.
