Alabama Football Spring Position Update: Defensive Backs

Alabama appears to have everything a team needs to be successful in the secondary this season: Talent, depth and yes, experience.

Author:
Christopher Walsh
Publish date:
Apr 12, 2022 9:00 AM EDT

In this story:

Alabama Crimson Tide

When it comes to the 2022 Crimson Tide secondary, fans can debate over which offseason move has benefitted Alabama move: The player who didn't leave or the one just arrived.

The one who didn't leave, of course, is senior safety Jordan Battle. He opted to stay on and try to win another national championship after the Crimson Tide lost in the title game.

“I feel like that’s something that fuels us individually," Battle said. "That’s something that comes with the Bama Standard. Coming to Bama, that’s what’s instilled in you. You want to win, and if you don’t win, you’re still hungry for more. So I think that's the main thing of the decision to come back for us individually.”

So far it looks like a good move as Battle probably wouldn't have been a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft (usually the standard Saban goes by to get his blessing). Plus, it's a very strong position group, so a year from now he has a chance to be the top-rated player at a scarce spot.

As for the new guy, Eli Ricks isn't just your typical transfer. He was a top-tier prospect as a recruit and played two years at LSU. He and Kool-Aid McKinstry could develop into an outstanding tandem.

"Definitely talented," said linebacker Henry To'oTo'o, who transferred in last year from Tennessee. "He works really, really hard, ever since he came in Day 1, he wanted to learn, he wanted to work out in the weight room 24/7. He wanted to get off-field work. He’s in the training room 24/7, so whenever I’m in there, I see him in there.

"It’s the little things like that that you kind of take note of players like that and know that he’s going to be a good addition to the program."

Little things add up to big-time potential, especially for a talented group like this on the back end.

2022 Alabama Crimson Tide Defensive Backs

Jordan Battle at Florida — Alabama Athletics

CB Eli Ricks, 2020, SIAA No. 14 (LSU transfer)*

CB Ga’Quincy McKinstry, 2021, No. 29*

S Jordan Battle, 2019, No. 43

S Terrion Arnold, 2021, No. 44

S Brian Branch, 2020, No. 61

S Trequon Fegans, 2022, No. 70:

S DeMarcco Hellams, 2019, No. 84

S Kristian Story, 2020

S Malachi Moore, 2020

CB Jahquez Robinson, 2020

S Kaine Williams, 2021

CB Devonta Smith, 2021

CB Khyree Jackson, 2021

Eli Ricks

No. 7, 6'2" 190 pounds, junior

The transfer played in 14 games over two seasons at LSU before transferring. Ricks suffered a shoulder injury that cut his 2021 season short. He was credited with 11 tackles and one interception.

2020: Made four interceptions, including a pair of pick-sixes against Florida and South Carolina, and was credited with 20 tackles and five pass breakups as a freshman. Named third-team All-American by the Associated Press, and a Freshman All-American by the FWAA. Also a Freshman All-SEC selection by league coaches.

As a prospect was a consensus five-star recruit. Played his senior season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., after transferring from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif. Ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the state of Florida by 247Sports, MaxPreps and Rivals.

Ga’Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) celebrates as he leaves the field after defeating the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Alabama defeated Auburn in four overtimes. — Photo | Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1, 6'1" 188 pounds, sophomore

Played in his first game as a true freshman and started a week later. Made first start against LSU. Tallied 25 tackles, including one sack, one interception and a pass breakup across his 15 games. Named to the Freshman All-SEC Team by league coaches. Had a memorable Iron Bowl, that included a huge sack late in the game, plus he broke up the Tigers' two-point attempt in the fourth overtime to give Alabama the ball back in position to win.

Jordan Battle

No. 9 6'1" 206 pounds, senior

The Tide’s starting strong safety who was named first-team All-American by Pro Football Focus, second-team from the AFCA and CBS Sports, and third-team by the Associated Press. Battle also earned All-SEC First Team honors from both the AP and the conference coaches. He tied for the team lead and was fifth in the SEC in interceptions with three, returning two for touchdowns. His 86 tackles were fourth on the team. Battle also contributed one tackle for loss to go with three pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.

2020: Took over at safety and was third on the team with 66 tackles, including three for loss. Also contributed four pass breakups and a pick-six that he returned 45 yards against Kentucky.

2019: Worked his way into the defensive back rotation and played in all 13 games with four starts. Battle recorded 30 tackles with a pair of tackles for loss and one sack, added one pass breakup, an interception and a fumble recovery. Had the pick during his first collegiate game, against Duke.

Terrion Arnold

No. 12, 6'0" 188 pounds, redshirt freshman

2021: Did not play in a game for the Crimson Tide.

As a recruit, Arnold was considered one of the top safety prospects in the country. He was rated to be a five-star prospect in the Top247 and a composite four star by the remaining recruiting outlets. Was ranked No. 25 on 247Sports’ Top247 list, and the No. 45 player nationally and fourth-ranked safety by Rivals.

Brian Branch

No. 14, 6'0" 193 pounds, junior

Branch totaled 55 tackles, including five for loss, and one sack, plus had a team-high nine pass breakups to go with a quarterback hurry and one fumble recovery. Led the Crimson Tide with eight tackles, including half a sack, in the Cotton Bowl, and made the fumble recovery in the National Championship Game.

2020: Saw time in 12 games with three starts. Totaled 27 tackles, including half a stop for loss, and had seven pass breakups and two interceptions.

Trequon Fegans

Tre'Quon Fagans, 2022 DB Thompson High (AL)

No. 22, 6'2" 185 pounds, freshman

The early enrollee was a unanimous four-star prospect, ranked No. 104 on the 247Composite, the No. 15 cornerback and No. 5 player in the state of Alabama, and No. 90 nationally by PrepStar. Fegans was No. 93 on the Top247 list, ESPN.com’s No. 64 player on the ESPN300, and 179 on the Rivals250. Chose Alabama over Miami.

DeMarcco Hellams

No. 2, 6'1" 208 pounds, senior

Earned a starting safety spot during his third season, but Hellams suffered a lower leg injury midway through fall camp that limited his playing time early. He tied for the Alabama team lead and was fifth in the SEC in interceptions with three, while totaling 87 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and three pass breakups.

2020: Contributed to the third-down package, while was also a regular on special teams. Totaled 62 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack, and three pass breakups. Made first career start at safety.

2019: Played in 13 games, mostly on special teams but also saw time in a deep secondary unit. Had four tackles, including half a sack.

Kristian Story

No. 11, 6'1" 211 pounds, redshirt sophomore

Played in 12 games, primarily on special teams. Made two tackles.

2020: Did not see any game action for the Crimson Tide.

Malachi Moore

No. 13, 6'0" 190 pounds, junior

Played in all 15 games, totaling 17 stops, including two for loss, ... also recorded an interception, a quarterback hurry and one pass breakup. The pick came in the season opener against Miami, when he started at star.

2020: Started at star in the first 11 games before injury held him out of College Football Playoff. Led the Crimson Tide with four forced turnovers, including a team-high three interceptions, and recovered a fumble which he forced, returning it 28 yards for a touchdown. Had totaled nine passes defensed (three interceptions, six breakups) to tie for third in the SEC among all freshman defenders . Finished with 44 tackles, including four for loss, six pass breakups and two quarterback pressures. Was named Freshman All-American by the FWAA, 247 Sports and The Athletic, to the SEC All-Freshman Team, and was second-team All-SEC by both the Associated Press and league coaches.

Jahquez Robinson

No. 23, 6'2" 197 pounds, junior

Played in one game, on special teams, against Mercer.

2020: Did not see game action for the Crimson Tide.

Kaine Williams

No. 20, 6'2" 203 pounds, redshirt freshman

Saw his first playing time on special teams in the National Championship Game.

Devonta Smith

No. 27, 6'0" 185 pounds, sophomore

Participated in nine game on special teams, earning more playing time as the season progressed.

As a recruit, Smith was a coveted cornerback out of Ohio who the Crimson Tide flipped from Ohio State. The was considered a consensus four-star prospect.

Khyree Jackson

No. 6, 6'3" 198 pounds, senior

The transfer from East Mississippi C.C. (the Maryland native was a four-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN.com) rotated in at defensive back while also working on special teams. He played in 12 games, and was credited with seven tackles and two pass breakups. Jackson made his first career start in the National Championship Game. He broke up one pass and made two tackles in Indianapolis.

Incoming ...

SIAA No. 45: Earl Little, CB, 6-1, 180, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./American Heritage

The son of former NFL player Earl Little was one of the top defensive back prospects coming out of the talent-rich state of Florida. He was a unanimous four-star prospect by all major recruiting sites, the No. 73 recruit and No. 12 corner in the country by 247Sports, and also tabbed as the No. 11 player from Florida by 247Sports and Rivals.com. Little was also the No. 75 player on the Rivals100 and No. 9 cornerback nationally by Rivals, and the No. 101 player and the No. 12 cornerback on the 247Composite. It didn't hurt that he was coached by Patrick Surtain Sr. at American Heritage High School. He chose Alabama over in-state Florida State and Miami along with LSU among his 30-plus offers.

Jake Pope, S, 6-1, 190, Buford, Ga./Buford

Pope was a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, 247Sports and PrepStar. He was ESPN’s No. 26 safety and No. 33 player from the state, and rated as the No. 28 safety nationally and the No. 32 player from Georgia by PrepStar. He was also the No. 29 safety nationally by 247Sports who also lists him as the No. 29 player in Georgia. Pope earned a three-star ranking from Rivals.com and on the 247Composite. Signed with Alabama over Georgia, Notre Dame and North Carolina.

Antonio Kite, DB, 6-1, 180, Anniston, Ala./Anniston

The unanimous four-star prospect was No. 81^st on the ESPN300, No. 173 on the Rivals250, and No. 154 on the 247Composite, the No. 5 athlete and No. 9 player in Alabama. He ranked No. 221 on the Top247 list by 247Sports while also being tabbed the No. 9 athlete overall and No. 11 player in the state, and No. 172 by PrepStar and the No. 7 athlete in the nation. A standout basketball player as well, Kite was named the 2020 ASWA 4A Player of the Year after averaging 20.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game. Chose Alabama over South Carolina, Tennessee and UCF.

This is the seventh story in a position-by-position series on the Crimson Tide this spring.

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers