Editor’s note: This is part seven of an eight-piece series that will take a look at the entire team as Alabama heads into summer workouts. Register to view the premium content in this series. Here we take a look at Alabama’s secondary.
Projected depth chart
Cornerback starters: Trevon Diggs, Patrick Surtain II, Josh Jobe –OR– Shyheim Carter
Safety starters: Xavier McKinney, Jared Mayden
Backups: Jayln Armour-Davis, Scooby Carter, Daniel Wright, Eddie Smith
What we like
First, Trevon Diggs, Patrick Surtain, Xavier McKinney and Jared Mayden all feel like virtual locks to start, but that fifth defensive back spot could be open for competition.
Alabama has options there. They could put Surtain and rising sophomore Josh Jobe at the cornerback spots while putting Diggs at star. They could also have Diggs and Surtain at corner and put Shyheim Carter at star. Carter started at star last season, but was hurt during the spring and worked with the second-team defense.
That allowed Jobe to work with the first-team defense at cornerback and gave Diggs more reps at star.
Overall, this could be one of the best secondary groups Alabama has had under Saban. Each player on the top line is long and athletic.
Part 1: Quarterbacks
Part 2: Running backs
Part 3: WRs/TEs
Part 4: Offensive line
Part 5: Defensive line
Part 6: Linebackers
