It was the most concerning position group for Alabama football is the summer, but it has matured beautifully.
The defensive secondary for the Crimson Tide is becoming a strength under Maurice Linguist and Colin Hitschler as defensive back coaches and co-defensive coordinators. Alabama’s secondary has 10 of the team’s 14 interception, including two picks each from Keon Sabb, Malachi Moore, Domani Jackson, and Bray Hubbard. The Tide’s defensive backfield has also forced five fumbles, including one from DaShawn Jones versus Mercer that Zabien Brown — a freshman — returned for a touchdown.
Coach Linguist, who works with the cornerbacks, is excited for the challenge his unit has this weekend. Alabama travels to Oklahoma to face the Sooners on ABC at 6:30 p.m. CT. Linguist and the cornerback room has the possibility of defending two quarterbacks on the road. Jackson Arnold is the starter for the Sooners, but Brent Venables could play Michael Hawkins too.
Arnold has 15 total touchdowns, including 12 passing scores.
Oklahoma does not have an electric offense, but it needs a victory to become bowl-eligible in front of its home crowd.
“It is a new challenge on the road, another SEC opponent on the road that is a better team that maybe their record and numbers show, but this is a very capable team,” Linguist said Wednesday about Oklahoma.
“Our guys have handled this with a lot of maturity.”
Linguist said Alabama’s secondary has a ‘good understanding’ of what Oklahoma might do.
“You do have to spend time on what has been on film,” he said.
Remaining positions of interest for Alabama football with signing day approaching
“Most teams now have 10 to 11 games of footage so you are going to get a lot of repeat plays. When you see two quarterbacks show up, obviously, we have to identity does the DNA of the offense change with one guy from the other. What is going to be their plan? What is going to be their approach? What are we going to do to combat that plan? And then, we gotta spend time on both of their quarterbacks. Both are capable and we have to give both the respect they deserve and have a plan for each of them.”
Hawkins is more of a running quarterback, while Arnold extends plays in the passing game.
Alabama faced two quarterbacks earlier in the season against Wisconsin. It started with Tyler Van Dyke, but the Tide’s defense knocked him out the game early. Braedyn Locke finished the matchup, but it was not much of a contest.
Linguist will have Alabama’s corners ready to roll versus the Sooners.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
