The University of Alabama will have a few defensive players in its football program that must produce next season, especially when it comes to wanting a first-round draft grade.
After watching Patrick Surtain II record an early first-round value, Jordan Battle returns for his junior year.
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An alumnus of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he arrived in the Crimson Tide’s 2019 signing class as a four-star and one of the nation’s best safety prospects. He has played in 26 career games — including 17 starts — and has 96 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, five pass breakups, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown.
Stay tuned…😈 #rolltide #oneshot pic.twitter.com/3Famuf7ah2
— Jordan Battle™️ (@jordantofly100) February 4, 2021
The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder finished third on the roster for total tackles (66) in 2020.
Battle collected three stops for loss, four breakups, and a pick-six versus Kentucky. Media pundits view him as a “film junkie” and Nick Saban has been pleased with his production growth and leadership. Since 2009, ten safeties have been selected from Alabama for the draft, including three — Mark Barron, Ha’Sean “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix, and Minkah Fitzpatrick — taken in the first round. Battle has the potential to become the fourth athlete, but can he have a quality junior year? If he can put himself in a situation where he is a finalist for Jim Thorpe, Chuck Bednarik, and Bronko Nagurski Awards, then he will have a chance to gain first-round value from pro scouts.
In two seasons, Battle has shown to be a secure tackler and instinctive playmaker.
He will be the leader of the defensive backfield in the upcoming fall.
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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
