The defensive secondary is one of the most intriguing positions for Alabama football in spring practice.
Terrion Arnold, Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry, and Jaylen Key are headed to the NFL Draft. Alabama also lost several defensive backs to others school in the NCAA transfer portal. It returned Malachi Moore and DeVonta Smith, but the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff also added Domani Jackson (transfer from USC) and Keon Sabb (transfer from Michigan) from the portal.
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Alabama signed a few very talented defensive backs in its 2024 freshmen class. Marquee names such as Jaylen Mbakwe, Zabien Brown, Zavier Mincey, Red Morgan, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., and Peyton Woodyard have an opportunity to get on the field.
These guys are young, but they bring length, athleticism, ball skills, coverage skills, and explosive playmaking abilities.
Last week, Maurice Linguist — Alabama’s Co-Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks coach — highlighted the most significant aspect he wants to see from the freshmen defensive backs in spring ball.
“You don’t want to overwhelm the young guys,” Linguist said. “The game is never going to be easy, but you want to make it simple for them. Give them small things, small job responsibilities, let them do that job well, and then build from there. We are trying to give them clear expectations, get them lined up, and celebrate the wins along the way. They are going to make mistakes. Half of these guys, a lot of them should still be in high school right now. Some of them should be going to prom right now, but they are out here competing against SEC-caliber talent. They are holding their own and doing a phenomenal job.”
Linguist is working the young guys in, but he is excited to have Domani Jackson and Keon Sabb.
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“Domani Jackson is doing a great job,” Linguist said. “He is in a good mental space. We are just building him up taking it one practice at a time with him. I think when you look at what Keon Sabb did, he started in the CFP National Championship Game, and has been on an upward swing. For us to get him here and get him going, he has been a phenomenal addition. He is savvy, he’s long, and you can feel the experience he has. He has been a pleasure to have.”
Linguist has known Jackson and Sabb for a long time, but to have both, Malachi Moore, and DeVonta Smith, he is overjoyed about the potential of the Alabama secondary.
“To have experienced guys and mixed that in with younger guys and having Malachi Moore… it a really great balance right now,”Linguist said. “We have a long ways to go, but the guys are on track and they are building the right way.”
Alabama fans would love to get back to the “No Fly Zone” defensive secondary it had from 2015 to 2017.
Those units had playmakers such as Cyrus Jones, Marlon Humphrey, Eddie Jackson, Anthony Averrett, Levi Wallace, Tony Brown, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Xavier McKinney, Ronnie Harrison, and Deionte Thompson.
We will see what Linguist and Kane Wommack put together in this “Swarm Defense,” but it is good to hear that things are building the right way for the secondary in spring practice for Alabama.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
