Nick Saban made sure he stocked the University of Alabama football team with defensive backs in this recent recruiting cycle before announcing his decision to retire from coaching.
Alabama signed several defensive backs, including in-state guys such as Jaylen Mbakwe, Red Morgan, and Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
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Could we see a true freshman emerge and start at cornerback for the Crimson Tide in the fall? Pro Football Focus, a website that looks into the analytics of college football and the National Football League, has the Tide with three of the top 10 freshmen players entering the upcoming season. Mbakwe, Zavier Mincey, and Zabien Brown made PFF’s list to represent Alabama.
Top 10 Cornerback Recruits Entering College Football in 2024🔥 pic.twitter.com/VaTsXKleCa
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 26, 2024
All three arrived as five stars with immense potential. They enrolled early for spring practice and made plays.
Mbakwe, a product of Clay-Chalkville High School, led his school to a Class 6A State Championship in 2023. He excelled at quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back, and return specialist. Mbakwe is learning how to be a corner for the Tide, but it will be interesting if the team choosing to use him as a punt returner. Mincey, a native Floridian, comes in at 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds.
He has the length to be something special.
Brown, a product of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., was one of the best cornerbacks in the class. The 6-foot, 180-pounder has the frame, speed, athleticism, ball skills, and coverage ability to become the next great Alabama cornerback.
We will see which one rises up first, but the Tide has three strong prospects on PFF’s list.
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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.
