Four reasons why Alabama’s secondary will be better in 2023

Alabama is losing a significant experience in its secondary.

Whether you’re talking about cornerback, safety or Star, every position on the backend of the Crimson Tide defense has taken hits. Safety has been affected more than corner due to losing front-line guys, but of the 15 total defensive backs on the 2022 roster, seven of them are gone. For those unwilling do the math, that’s almost half.

Yet, I still believe Alabama’s secondary is going to be better in 2023. There are a number of reasons supporting that belief, too. Below, I take an in-depth loo at four of them. Once you’re done reading, be sure to check out the complementary YouTube video. Also make sure that you’re subscribed to the On3 Roundtable!

1. Improved play opposite McKinstry

The cornerback spot opposite Alabama standout Kool-Aid McKinstry is going to be much improved in 2023. Why? Well, because Terrion Arnold is going to be better. I’ve already mentioned this several times throughout the offseason, but I’ll reiterate it here: Arnold was still making the transition from high school safety to college corner in 2022.

People sometimes tend to forget that piece of information.

Yes, there were growing pains. No one should’ve been surprised by that though. Playing out on the perimeter requires a much different skill set than playing safety or even Star. Arnold has the length that Alabama covets at the position, and he also brings the physicality. Having to turn and carry receivers vertically differs a lot from keeping most things in front of you though.

The transition was always going to take time.

Arnold is a former On3 five-star talent out of John Paul II Catholic High School in Tallahassee, Fla. He showed flashes of that ability last season, but now that he has a full year of contributing — whether that be as an eight-game starter or key depth piece — he’s ready to take the next step. Plus, he’ll likely be the full-time starter rather than having to share reps.

Don’t get me wrong, he won’t be without competition.

Louisiana transfer Trey Amos is a talented outside corner as well. He’ll push for playing time — and could even find himself in a starting role if I’m wrong about Arnold, but I believe in Arnold’s talent and willingness to find ways to get better. Say what you will about his performance in 2022, but he was always battling. He’s got that dog in him, as the young kids like to say.

For continuity purposes, avoiding a revolving door opposite McKinstry should also benefit Alabama.

Arnold started the season opener last year. One week later, it was Khyree Jackson against Texas. Then Arnold made his way back into the starting lineup for the next five games before ceding his job to Eli Ricks. The LSU transfer got the nod in five of the final six games with Arnold only starting after Ricks went out with a concussion.

It’s difficult to find a groove when there’s that much change happening on a week-to-week basis.

2. The Five-Star Plus freshman safety

Another piece about Alabama’s secondary, another hype session surrounding Five-Star Plus freshman Caleb Downs. The blue chip safety out of Georgia already has his sights on a starting role, and I believe it’s a sign of an incoming impact player. As I’ve mentioned multiple times this offseason, Downs is a transformative piece for this defense.

There just aren’t any weaknesses to his game.

I’m sure there will be growing pains early due to his lack of experience, but I don’t think his youth will affect him as much as it does your typical freshman. Not only is the 6-foot, 203-pound defensive back an all-world talent physically, but he also brings a lunch-pail mentality and work ethic that should help him quickly overcome any inexperience issues.

Here’s what I said about Downs in another article from earlier this month:

The five-star freshman can do it all.

He can play in single high, split looks, down in the box or over a slot. He’s effective in zone or man coverage, and he’s a high-quality run defender. Plus, he’s got a great understanding of the game — big picture type of stuff. Seriously, I’m not sure what qualifies as a weakness. Fluidity, football IQ … all of his physical and mental attributes are top notch.

Downs hasn’t completely locked up a starting job yet though.

Veterans Kristian Story and Jaylen Key (a recent transfer from UAB) are very much in the competition, but Downs is going to be too good to keep off the field. I really liked the guys Alabama had at the top of its safety depth chart in 2022, but there were limitations. Opposing offenses such as Tennessee found a way to exploit those limitations, too.

Good luck trying to exploit Downs.

3. Versatility throughout

Another thing I love about Alabama’s secondary is the versatility it provides the backend of the defense.

Don’t get me wrong, I view guys such as McKinstry and Amos almost exclusively as perimeter corners. I also view Story and Key as pure safeties. They’re all capable of moving around some, but outside of Story or Key occasionally playing in the box as a de facto Will linebacker, I believe these guys primarily stick to outside corner and safety.

There’s still significant versatility in the secondary though.

Yes, Arnold will almost exclusively be reployed out on the perimeter, but he’s capable of playing Star or even safety. Earl Little II is likely to be your Star replacing the departed Brian Branch, but he’s got experience as an outside cornerback while also possessing a skill set that can survive at safety. Malachi Moore has seen extensive action at both Star and safety.

Plus, we’ve already discussed all the things Downs can do for your defense.

This type of versatility will make it easier for defensive coordinator Kevin Steele to disguise coverages, blitzes and a variety of other things, which is something that wasn’t available to this same degree in 2022. Branch was a versatile piece, but Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams are pure safeties. Ricks is a pure outside corner, too.

Arnold had some versatility, but that couldn’t be properly utilized with him putting such an emphasis on learning to play corner. I always thought Jackson could move around some, but we never saw it on display. The point here is that there are a lot more movable pieces available in the current secondary when compared to last season.

The newfound versatility should help.

4. A change at defensive coordinator

Speaking of Kevin Steele, he’s another reason why Alabama’s secondary is going to be better in 2023. Pete Golding is a brillant defensive mind, but it felt like he put too much of a focus on trying to outsmart opposing offenses. Don’t get me wrong, that can be a beneficial approach, but the aggressiveness and physicality were sacrificed at times as a result.

Those two areas best represent Steele’s approach to calling his defenses.

We’ve already seen those changes on display during A-Day last month. All three levels of Alabama’s defense were more aggressive, but those changes especially held true when with the inside linebackers and safeties. Whether it be Downs, Jake Pope, inside linebacker Justin Jefferson or a number of other guys, physicality and big hits were on display.

For anyone who tuned into A-Day, you know exactly the kind of difference I’m referring to. That difference in mindset and approach is something we haven’t seen over the last few years, and it’s certainly something to be excited about as Sept. 2 approaches. If the defense — including the secondary — can keep it up, don’t be shocked if this unit improves.

Projected depth chart

LCB: Terrion Arnold / Trey Amos / Dezz Ricks

RCB: Kool-Aid McKinstry / Antonio Kite / Jahlil Hurley

Star: Earl Little II / Malachi Moore

SS: Caleb Downs / Jaylen Key OR Kristian Story / Jake Pope

FS: Malachi Moore / Devonta Smith / Bray Hubbard

Money: Jaylen Key OR Kristian Story

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