Alabama head coach Nick Saban likes what he has at various positions on the team, but the Crimson Tide’s defensive secondary could be another marquee strength.
Travaris Robinson, Alabama’s secondary coach, has versatile depth and talent.
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Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold are entrenched as first-team cornerbacks, but another member of the 2021 class they came in with has grown to become a viable option in the secondary. Devonta Smith, a former four-star, flipped from Ohio State to the Tide in 2021 from La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has played in 19 career games, including ten in 2022. The 6-foot, 194-pounder has primarily seen action on special teams, but he has gotten some work in the secondary. According to sources close to Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Smith subbed in at safety in Alabama’s first-team nickel defense at the open practice.
Coach Saban is pleased with Smith’s progress, especially if he can build on it.
If he grows in the nickel defense, Smith could start at safety and Malachi Moore would move down to ‘Star.’
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“Devonta is a really good athlete,” Saban said.
“He is a hard worker. He has gotten bigger and stronger. He has really good speed, been a very good special teams player for us in the past. I think his knowledge and experience is starting to sort of come to fruition in the secondary. He’s very conscientious and not making the mental errors that have been a little bit of a Achilles heel in the past. So, we’re very pleased with the progress that he’s making.”
He came out of high school as one of the top cornerbacks, but Smith is starting to make waves as a safety.
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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.
