Dallas Turner and Brian Branch both said via In My Own Words for Touchdown Alabama Magazine that the expectations for Alabama’s defense are through the roof.
Marquee players at each positional unit have worked this offseason to better themselves. The Crimson Tide has three cornerbacks in its secondary that are starters. Eli Ricks, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Khyree Jackson will get starter reps in the summer practice and preseason camp. Jackson, a former junior college transfer, got some opportunities in 2021 and had success. The 6-foot-3, 198-pounder totaled seven tackles and two pass breakups in 12 games.
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Jackson was one of the top JUCO players before choosing the Tide, but he wants to show he’s a lockdown defender.
He has been training with Coach Bo, also known as the “DB Sensei.” Both guys are Maryland natives, and Coach Bo’s training facility is in Maryland. He is a defensive backs specialist, and he looks to have Jackson right for the fall.
Coach Bo posted a couple of videos to his Instagram of Jackson putting in work.
If Alabama’s secondary can shut down the game-changing receivers in college football, it has opportunity to have the best defense of the Nick Saban era. Jackson had a good spring, but he could have an even better regular season.
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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.
