Alabama’s defensive secondary may face some challenging offenses in the fall, but the group will have excellent preparation.
Malachi Moore, a senior, returns with the most significant experience in a Crimson Tide uniform. Domani Jackson and Keon Sabb transferred in from other programs. DeVonta Smith, a fourth-year safety, has been in the Tide’s system since 2021, but he received his first taste of significant action last year in four games. Tony Mitchell, a former five-star in Alabama’s 2023 recruiting class, could see time as a starter at the ‘Husky’ position. The team also has several talented freshmen it recruit in the recent cycle that have an opportunity to start or gain valuable playing time. Last week, Kane Wommack brought up the youth of the Tide’s defensive backfield in a press conference after spring practice. He said the speed of Alabama’s offense will help the secondary.
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“I think experience is finite,” Wommack said.
“There are things were you have to learn and grow and our offensive system, we do a whole lot offensively. We are very dynamic, and I have dealt with that over the years. I have worked with Kalen DeBoer, worked with Nick Sheridan, so I have seen this offense first-hand. We are really aggressive in our installation, we put a lot of things in, show a lot of pictures, and so when you are a young player and you are getting all those things thrown at you early, those are a lot of reps you can refer back upon as you get into the season. I can’t imagine seeing anyone else in the country install at a more aggressive rate than what our offense does. Those things are going to pay dividends for some of those young defensive backs.”
Jaylen Mbakwe, Red Morgan, Zabien Brown, Zavier Mincey, and Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. all looked good in the first week of spring practice as true freshman cornerbacks.
Maurice Linguist, Alabama’s co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach, said the freshmen have held their own.
They have not been asked to do much, but they are growing in learning responsibilities.
Wommack wants Alabama’s defense to be challenged in practice so that games become easy for it. Coach DeBoer and his offensive staff will throw a lot at the Tide’s defense.
Wommack is prepared to have the defense be elite.
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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.
