Fall camp for the University of Alabama football team starts on Wednesday, July 31, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The athletes are scheduled to report to camp on Tuesday, July 30, as Kalen DeBoer and his coaching staff looks to produce a national champion in this team. In this series, leading into the first practice, the staff at Touchdown Alabama Magazine will break down starting jobs that are up for grabs.
Competition will be marquee in practice, and DeBoer is only putting the best on the field.
RELATED: Who emerges as Alabama’s starting right tackle this season?
After breaking down both left and right tackle on the offensive line, we know look at who could become starting cornerbacks on defense for Alabama.
Domani Jackson
He did not have a ton of success at the University of Southern California, but Domani Jackson has the tools to become an incredible star for Alabama football.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder was a highly-touted four-star defensive back in the 2022 recruiting class.
A native of San Diego, Calif., Jackson chose to sign with the Trojans from Mater Dei High School. He played in 18 career games from 2022 to 2023, totaling 28 tackles and four pass breakups. Jackson transferred to the Crimson Tide and enrolled early for spring practice. He has learned a lot from being around Maurice Linguist — Alabama’s co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks — and is prepared to have a marquee season. Jackson has the skill set to play in the boundary and frustrate wide receivers.
He should be one of two starters at cornerback for the Tide.
DaShawn Jones
DaShawn Jones, a transfer from Wake Forest, has the most experience of any one on Alabama’s roster at cornerback.
The Baltimore (Md.) native played three years for the Demon Deacons — totaling 61 tackles, seven pass breakups, and three interceptions for his career. Jones’ career-high of three picks came last year for Wake Forest. The 6-foot, 181-ponder has exceptional closing speed and physicality to make crushing hits on wide receivers. He breaks on the ball well to create turnovers and deflections. Jones’ experience makes him needed for Alabama’s secondary in the Southeastern Conference.
He, like Jackson, has an opportunity to capture a national championship in the fall.
The Field
Alabama has depth at cornerback that will push for starting time or be contributors.
Kameron Howard, a transfer from the University of North Carolina at Charolette, is with the program. The Tide also has Jahlil Hurley, its lone five-star scholarship hold over at the position from the 2023 class. Then, Alabama has a pool of talented freshmen such as Jaylen Mbakwe, Zavier Mincey, and Zabien Brown. Brown, a five-star from California, is the most technically sound of the trio at the spot. It will be interesting to see if someone out of the field over takes Jackson or Jones.
Predicted Winners: Domani Jackson & DaShawn Jones
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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.
