This offseason, Alabama football faced the challenge of replacing almost its entire defensive back roster from 2023, retaining only Malachi Moore.
At the cornerback position, Jahlil Hurley is the lone returnee. At safety, the team brings back three members from 2023, including Moore, and has added transfers Keon Sabb (Michigan), King Mack (Penn State), and Kameron Howard (Charlotte). Additionally, two true freshmen have joined from the 2024 recruiting class.
Alabama saw significant losses through the transfer portal, including Caleb Downs to Ohio State, Jake Pope to Georgia, and Kristian Story to Kentucky. Jaylen Key also departed for the NFL Draft.
To bolster their coaching staff, Alabama recruited Maurice Linguist and Colin Hitschler, who will oversee the defensive backs under new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack.
Wommack is set to implement his 4-2-5 “Swarm” defense, a departure from former coach Nick Saban’s complex system.
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Wommack’s defensive scheme introduces new roles: the Rover (strong safety) and the Husky (a hybrid player functioning as the nickel defensive back). The projected starters for Alabama’s safeties are Keon Sabb at Rover, Malachi Moore at free safety, and Devonta Smith at Husky.
Sabb, a transfer from Michigan, brings experience and accolades, having registered 28 tackles and two interceptions in 2023. Moore, a permanent team captain last year, had 52 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception. Smith, recovering from an injury in the first half of 2023, managed to make an impact in the latter part of the season.
The reserves include promising talents like King Mack, Kameron Howard, Bray Hubbard, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., and Red Morgan. Mack played in 13 games at Penn State as a true freshman, while Howard contributed significantly at Charlotte. Kirkpatrick Jr. and Morgan are highly rated recruits, expected to develop into key players.
Adjusting to Wommack’s defense might pose a learning curve, but players like Moore find it more straightforward compared to Saban’s system. Moore emphasized that Wommack’s approach allows for more vision coverage, enabling defenders to make plays and generate turnovers.
Despite the departure of several key players, Alabama’s safety unit remains robust, thanks to strategic transfers and recruits. While the secondary’s real-game SEC experience is limited, the infusion of experienced players like Sabb and promising newcomers ensures that the team is well-positioned for future success. With the season opener against Western Kentucky on August 31, the team has ample time to adapt and refine their strategies under the new defensive scheme.
