The last name "Kirkpatrick" means a lot to Alabama football fans, and young Dre understands it.

Kirkpatrick attended games at Bryant-Denny Stadium in the Nick Saban era to watch his father, Dre Kirkpatrick Sr., become a superstar cornerback for the Crimson Tide. Kirkpatrick was a reason why the Tide's defense anchored the program in Saban's early years to BCS National Championships in 2009 and 2011.

He became a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and had a strong career in the league.

Now, he enjoys the most rewarding part of being a dad: he watches his son follow his footsteps and sign a national letter of intent to play for his Alma mater. The young Kirkpatrick, like his father, was very good at Gadsden City High School.

He garnered a three-star rating, but Kirkpatrick plays much bigger than the grade.

He exploded with huge plays in the Alabama-Mississippi Allstar Game and has held his own in spring practice for the Tide under Coach Maurice Linguist.

RELATED: Watch: Alabama DB adding muscle to his frame ahead of his freshman season

Kirkpatrick has been training with his dad over spring break. He has been increasing strength in his upper body and explosion in his lower body.

The 6-foot, 192-pounder is in the competition for playing time in the secondary. 

Alabama freshman Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. getting some work in during spring break with his dad and former Tide DB.

(Video via Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. IG story) pic.twitter.com/zcsTrk1Rnf

— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) March 13, 2024

Spring practice returns next week for Kirkpatrick and the Tide.

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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.