Alabama’s defensive secondary is stacked for the upcoming fall.
Travaris Robinson (secondary coach) and Nick Saban pulled two players from the NCAA transfer portal to assure the defensive backfield will be lethal for the Crimson Tide. After getting Trey Amos, a veteran cornerback from Louisiana-Lafayette, Alabama grabbed a commitment from Jaylen Key. Key, a native of Tallahassee, Fla., comes from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
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The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has much experience as a safety.
He’s played in 44 career games, including a breakout season last year for the Blazers. Key totaled 60 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He had a career-high 12 tackles against LSU and made Honorable Mention All-Conference USA. Key led the Blazers to have one of the best pass defenses in college football in 2022. He adds experienced depth to the Tide at the safety position. Alabama lost Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams to the National Football League. Malachi Moore played safety in high school and has the potential to play in college, but he has yet to serve as a safety for Alabama.
Kristian Story, Jake Pope, Caleb Downs (freshman), and Devonta Smith can play safety as well. Downs, a five-star, looked smooth in the spring game. Pope had 10 tackles on A-Day, including a big hit on Jermaine Burton. Story recorded an interception off quarterback Jalen Milroe, and Smith brings big-play capabilities. Key adds more competition to the room at the position; however, does he land the starting job? We will see how he fits, but Saban brings in experience guys to play them.
If this secondary shakes out correctly, the Tide has a dangerous group on its hands.
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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.
