Alabama Crimson Tide 2021 Fall Football Preview: Cornerbacks

Nick Saban has always been recognised as a defensive again expert, and the posture of cornerback has often been his own favourite to coach. Fellas like Kareem Jackson, Dre Kirkpatrick, Dee Milliner, Marlon Humphrey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Trevon Diggs, and Pat Surtain have all become high NFL draft picks and starters, and have notched a number of Professional Bowls concerning them.

It is one particular of the most significant positions on the protection, and a solitary corner that isn’t up to the regular can completely cripple the complete defensive plan.

For the needs of this posting, we’re only conversing about the pure outside cornerbacks, and the hybrid slot corners will be mixed in with the safeties.

The Departed

Pat Surtain II- The former 5-star quickly gained a setting up work as a freshman, and went on to turn into a Unanimous All-American, SEC Defensive Participant of the Year, and a major-10 NFL draft choose. His mix of dimensions, athleticism, instincts, and assured, nonetheless humble angle and do the job ethic is one thing only viewed as soon as in a era, and is extremely hard to truly exchange.

The New Chief

#28- Josh Jobe (Sr) 6’1” 194

Jobe joined Alabama with Surtain back again in 2018, but was only a special groups contributor all year as a freshman… Till his name was known as on the major stage. With Saivion Smith getting roasted by Clemson superstar Justyn Ross and Trevon Diggs out with a damaged leg, the depth chart fell to Jobe to decide up the slack.

He performed admirably inspite of the blowout decline.

In 2019, he began the year as a starter, but a flurry of penalties noticed Nick Saban pull him from the lineup to do the job on his in-enjoy mentality, and Jobe labored his way back to turn into a complete time starter in 2020.

An aggressive, handsy participant, he deflected 11 passes although going mainly unrecognized by the media (even though PFF did identify him an honorable mention All-American) despite a commonly outstanding to start with time as a starter. He’s due to the fact been named to a few look at lists and preseason groups, and is the most senior member of the Alabama secondary. This is the yr for him to get the action from a new starter to a veteran star.

The Returning Depth

#5-Jalyn Armour-Davis (RJr) 6’1” 192

A fast recruit out of Cellular, Armour-Davis was essentially getting some camp hype ahead of his correct freshman 12 months when a torn ACL knocked him out for his first season. He’s spent the previous two many years as a backup, but has performed in 18 complete games possibly on specific teams or as a backup. Most telling, he acquired some actively playing time as the 6th DB in the Countrywide Championship video game before this calendar year when the Tide went to Dime deals after Jordan Battle was ejected for targeting.

He’s since gotten the bulk of the initial crew reps opposite Jobe in the spring and drop, and it appears the starting up spot is his to eliminate.

#26- Marcus Banking companies (Jr) 6’0” 186

The moment a skinny sub 170-pounder out of Texas, Financial institutions invested his initial two several years at Alabama introducing some bulk and accomplishing his best to make an impact on specific teams. He got some important run with the next team even all through his to start with A-Working day game two a long time ago, and has been a most important backup the very last few of seasons.

#23-Jahquez Robinson (So) 6’2” 197

Robinson was a little decreased rated as a recruit than most of the other guys, but arrived to Alabama as a press coverage professional with great sizing and length. He really bounced to the safety team and the STAR posture a tiny little bit in his 1st period, but I believe tasks greatest as an exterior corner extended expression. He did not participate in any as a freshman, and will be on the lookout to carve out a back-up role this yr.

The Newcomers

#1-Kool Support McKinstry (Fr) 6’1” 190

The five star freshman from Birmingham with a huge temperament has been just one of the Tide’s most talked-about recruits above the several years. He’s a dynamic playmaker with great speed and all-close to talent. He jumped right in and experienced an exceptional A-Working day final spring, and by all accounts has continued to be remarkable in tumble camp. Make no error, Kool-Support has a actual prospect to unseat Armour-Davis for the starting up location, and will likely be a enthusiast beloved for a number of several years.

#6- Khyree Jackson (Jr) 6’3”197

Jackson is the newest JUCO transfer at defensive back for the Tide, and has been the topic of a handful of rumors of possessing a fantastic fall camp efficiency considering the fact that arriving. He’s a major, prolonged corner with good ball abilities and hits like a linebacker out on the sidelines. With McKinstry and Armour-Davis possessing time in the plan in advance of him, he’s obtained a bit to catch up, but any JUCO transfer is often heading to be undertaking their very best to be an fast starter

#12- Terrion Arnold (Fr) 6’0” 188

Yet another 5-star recruit, Arnold was a late signee that did not join right until summer season. He’s a large basketball player (available a scholarship by Nate Oats) and vast receiver on major of becoming a 5-star basic safety in superior university. Relatively surprisingly, he’s been practising with the corners so far this tumble.

His later arrival and posture swap likely puts him a bit driving the other people, but Arnold is a significant playmaker with a great deal of prospective.

Depth Chart

Ideal Cornerback – Josh Jobe, Marcus Banking companies, Khyree Jackson

Remaining Cornerback – Jalyn Armour-Davis, Kool-Support McKinstry, Jahquez Robinson

I feel Armour-Davis receives the nod as the starter in the season opener because of to his seniority. Nonetheless, I completely anticipate McKinstry to get a couple drives in match 1 so that the coaching employees can evaluate just how he handles it. Do not be surprised if he winds up the key man halfway as a result of the season.