Alabama’s defensive secondary may be fun to watch in the fall.
Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold return with experience as cornerbacks, Earl Little II could win the starting job at nickel, and five-star Caleb Downs eyes an opportunity at safety. The Crimson Tide loses Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams, and Brian Branch to the NFL Draft, but it returned a defensive back that may be the biggest leader for the team. Malachi Moore enters his senior season for the Tide. He arrived as a four-star in Alabama’s 2020 signing class as a top safety prospect. His career started promising after his tenure at Hewitt-Trussville High School as Moore earned the starting job at Star. He blossomed with 44 tackles, four tackles for loss, six pass breakups, three interceptions, and a fumble return for a touchdown. Moore received individual accolades and helped the Tide secure a Southeastern Conference title and a CFP National Championship.
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Injuries limited his success in the last two seasons; however, Moore did have 31 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five breakups, and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in 2022. The 6-foot, 198-pounder is healthy and ready to secure a concrete NFL Draft value for himself. Moore’s experience and leadership will be pivotal to the success of the secondary.
Terrion Arnold, a redshirt sophomore, is excited to have Moore back.
“Malachi has done a great job emphasizing how we need to practice well and create good habits,” Arnold said to reporters on Monday. “He is doing a great job of leading us.”
After watching Brian Branch take over the last two years, Moore can now stamp his career the way he wants to.
He has worked at safety in spring practice, so it will be interesting to see what his position will be.
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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.e
