Mistakes are part of maturing, but sometimes all it takes is one wake-up call to put things in perspective.
Alabama football has a legacy defensive back on its roster that has an understanding of his second opportunity. Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., the son of Dre Kirkpatrick, is back with the team in spring practice after being indefinitely suspended late last season.
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The former three-star was arrested and charged with three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of attempting to elude and speeding in November of 2025. Coach Kalen DeBoer held him accountable and Kirkpatrick did everything he needed to earn the respect of his teammates and coaches. Kirkpatrick, a product of Gadsden (Ala.) City High School, is a highly talented athlete with ball-skills and hard-hitting tendencies.
July 31, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. zeroes in on the ball during the second practice session of the preseason for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder is in his third season and understands the time is now to be impactful.
He watched his dad grow from a special teams standout to an elite cornerback with two national championships and an NFL career.
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Kane Wommack, Alabama’s defensive coordinator, sees big things in young Kirkpatrick’s future — especially with how he’s coming in spring practice.
He is showing position flexibility in two spots for Alabama’s secondary.
“Dre Kirkpatrick is going back and forth between Rover and the Husky position,” Wommack said Friday in his media availability.
Competition is at Husky with Kirkpatrick, Red Morgan, and Chuck McDonald II, but it is promising to see Kirkpatrick hang in there.
He worked second behind Morgan in Thursday’s practice.
It is going to be rewarding to watch him excel.
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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
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