If Nick Saban had a Mount Rushmore for his recruiting classes at Alabama, the 2017 group would be on it.
Offensively, it was the most talented class he signed — especially when one takes Tua Tagovailoa, Najee Harris, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Wills into account. Of the players named, four were selected in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft in April and three have a chance to help the Crimson Tide win a national championship.
Despite the names on offense, four players on defense from the class are starters on this team.
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On Monday, Saban released a depth chart that had LaBryan Ray (defensive end), Dylan Moses (inside linebacker), Christopher Allen (outside linebacker) and Daniel Wright (free safety) all listed as starters.
Each member of the quartet has battled injuries, but all are back to restore a dominant mindset to the Tide’s defense.
When it comes to Wright, he arrived as a four-star from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
He and Eddie Jackson, former Tide safety, both played at Boyd Anderson High School. Wright always carried the instincts, physicality and ball skills to be a safety; however, he needed to become one with Saban’s system. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder started his career as the explosive gunner on special teams, but he now has Alabama’s scheme committed to memory.
Wright has played in 31 career games, nevertheless, it will be his first season as a starter.
With him and Jordan Battle, the Tide has two native Floridian ready to create turnovers.
Coach Saban talked about Battle’s confidence and on Tuesday, Mac Jones discussed Wright.
According to Jones, he said the free safety is ready to back up his energy with production.
*Mac Jones talks Daniel Wright at 5:11 mark
“Daniel and I were roommates my freshman year,” Jones said. “So, we started off with a strong bond there. He has grown a lot and you can tell he has taken a leadership role back there. He is getting guys lined up and is focused on what he had to do. When he does that, he plays a lot better. He makes a lot of plays and that’s the type of guys you want in the secondary. During practice, you hear his words but he is also making plays and backing it up with his play.”
Upon speaking with LaBryan Ray, he said the one thing he loves about Wright is his work ethic.
“He’s been improving every day,” Ray said of Wright. “And in working with Jordan (Battle), I think the two work well off each other.”
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Wright was constantly productive throughout fall camp and prior to Scott Cochran leaving for Georgia, he had transformed his body to deliver punishing hits on receivers, tight ends and running backs. He is locked into being an all-around safety this year.
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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.
