Alabama Football: Who's Winning the Battles in Tide's Secondary?

It is early in fall practice, but the Crimson Tide secondary is beginning to take shape.

No position entering the fall is as unsettled as defensive back. Nick Saban has his work cut out to mold these young men into a cohesive unit in time. 

Here are some impressions from the practice field.

Who’s Up?

Mark Barron

Barron, a junior is one of the more solid physical specimens to play for the crimson tide.  At 6’2” and 210 pounds he has the ball skills to hang deep and the physical size to hammer running backs.  From his free safety position he is the quarterback of the secondary.

Robert Lester:

The strong safety job belongs to the sophomore from Foley. Lester took a red shirt year and has slowly climbed the depth chart to earn his starting spot. He held off the since departed Rod Woodson this spring and this season faces stiff competition from of several newcomers. 

Nick Perry:

True freshman Nick Perry from Prattville surprised some arriving a little bigger, a little more vocal, and a little more aware of the coverages than most anticipated.  So far he looks to be a strong contender for early playing time. 

Westley Neighbors:

The sophomore arrived at the capstone on the Bryant Scholarship, which is not part of the 85 scholarships allotted. The Bryan Scholarship is awarded annually to the children of former players, coaches, or staffers.  There is a catch however. 

Most Bryant Scholarship recipients never play. If they do, they must then be considered part of the 85. Meaning if Alabama plays Neighbors, someone else will have to go off of scholarship. 

Neighbors may not be an elite talent at safety, but he apparently knows the system and can and will lay the wood as witnessed this spring.

Who’s Falling Back?

Jarrick Williams:

Williams was rated higher in high school than Nick Perry but so far he looks to be slightly behind him. With young players, this can change in a single practice so don’t think this is any sort of long term observation.  

Williams is buried right now, but his athletic prowess should take him past Westley Neighbors if he can grasp the system quickly enough. Nick Saban will sometimes bury a talented player on purpose just to see if they will come out fighting.   

Will Lowery:

Lowery is a scrappy walk-on from Hoover High School. Lowery is still defying the odds to remain in the three deep on one of the most talented teams in America, but the arrival of more high level talent will likely reduce his opportunities.  

Kendell Kelly:

The converted wide receiver suffered heat related health problems the first day, and his return is questionable.

At corner Alabama has less returning experience, but more talented players available.

Who’s Up?

Dre Kirkpatrick:

The supremely talented Kirkpatrick must avoid re-injuring his shoulder to maintain his grip on the starting corner spot.

Burton Scott:

Scott survived a tough battle with Phelon Jones for the other starting corner job this spring. He is maintaining that lead thus far this fall.

Dequan Menzie:

Most everyone expected Menzie to redshirt after his serious leg injury this spring, so it’s pretty amazing that he is out there and competing.  So far Menzie has impressed enough to be considered a strong candidate for the two deep and could even challenge for a starting assignment. His health may determine his fate.

DeMarcus Milliner:

Milliner struggled at times this spring but after a summer learning the system he  appears to be surging forward. Though Milliner is buried thus far; he has been getting reps at the starting fifth defensive back position.

Who’s Falling Back?

Phelon Jones:

LSU transfer Phelon Jones has thus far not been able to close the gap on Burton Scott for the starting corner spot and is facing tough challenges from other players.   He may still get the starting nod when playing five defensive backs.

John Fulton:

John Fulton seemed to be ahead of fellow freshman DeMarcus Milliner this spring but Milliner surging forward may be forcing Fulton back.  This battle like the one between Perry and Williams at safety is far from over and could change tomorrow.

Alabama’s secondary is big, fast, and talented.  They can and will run with any group of receivers they face and match up physically to SEC competition.  Their success or failure rests on their ability to play together and not make mistakes.    

Nick Saban is a documented hater of allowing the big play. Nothing gets under his skin more. If the men of Alabama’s secondary want to get and keep a starting job, they had better get on the same page with their teammates. Nick has little patience for those who allow receivers to run free.