As we prepare to enter the summer, it is time to familiarize ourselves with some other freshmen via Alabama’s 2021 recruiting class. The summer enrollees will arrive on campus either late this month or early June. It can be difficult to come in and push for a starting job; however, these young athletes are fearless.
In this series, the staff writers for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will highlight the summer prospects that have the best opportunity to compete for early playing time in the fall for the Crimson Tide.
The third profile goes to Khyree Jackson.
Khyree Jackson
–Hometown: Upper Malboro, Md.
–Position: Defensive Back
–Height: 6-4
–Weight: 195 pounds
–Skills: Size, athleticism, length, hard-hitter, coverage, footwork, ball skills
–Summary: East Mississippi Community College continues to be a good program for Nick Saban to grab junior college stars.
He took Jarran Reed from the school in the 2014 recruiting class and placed him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Alabama would also get D.J. Pettway from EMCC, and he had success in his return to the Crimson Tide. Khyree Jackson is the latest name Alabama has signed from JUCO. The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder is an experienced defensive back who adds depth and talent to the Tide at cornerback. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic canceling his season in 2020, Jackson turned in 28 tackles and three interceptions in 2019.
In watching his tape, he has the athleticism and length to frustrate and re-route receivers on plays. Jackson is also a tackling machine in run support. He possesses the capability to make big hits and form tackles in space.
The Crimson Tide graduated Patrick Surtain II to the National Football League, but it returns Josh Jobe. He is a starting cornerback in Alabama’s secondary, but who will line up across from him?
Jalyn Armour-Davis, a redshirt junior, had a great spring and is in a position to take the job.
However, he has to fend off Ga’Quincy “Koolaid” McKinstry and Jackson.
If Armour-Davis struggles in fall camp, Jackson will have a chance to start. It will depend on his adjustment to the speed at Alabama that decides how much playing time he receives. He does have experience and brings playmaking abilities to the team.
Coach Saban wants to have an elite secondary, and he feels Jackson can provide him with it.
Related Alabama summer enrollee profiles
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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.
