2023 Alabama Crimson Tide Position Preview: Safeties

Three of Alabama's top safeties moved on to the NFL, which leaves an opportunity for someone to be the next big star in the defensive backfield.

The list of safeties to come out of Alabama in the Nick Savan era isn’t just impressive. It’s jaw-dropping.

Minkah Fitzpatrick. Landon Collins. Eddie Jackson. Mark Barron. Xavier McKinney. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Ronnie Harrison. Rashad Johnson ... 

That’s an all-star caliber cast. And all of them played in the NFL or are in the NFL. You can add Brian Branch and Jordan Battle to the list. The rookies just signed contracts with the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively.

So who is the next star at safety for Alabama?

Good question. Harder answer.

With the loss of Branch and Battle, Alabama turns to a mix of experienced and young players to take the mantle.

We start with the obvious. Malachi Moore has been a solid player at the star and money position since he was a freshman in 2020. He’s a senior now, and has the most experience of anyone in the defensive backfield.

Moore got the start as a freshman, but gave way to Branch. It’s Moore’s time to shine again. Whether he’s the regular starter is up to the development of Earl Little II, a redshirt freshman. Little saw action as a true freshman, but an ankle injury set him back.

Kristian Story is a senior with not much experience but a wealth of athleticism. He might push Moore for playing time at the safety spot. Story, the former Alabama Sports Writers Association Mr. Football winner, hasn’t had much to brag about in his three seasons in Tuscaloosa. He’s played a role on special teams and has seen action during the late stages of lopsided Alabama wins.

We got to see redshirt freshman Jake Pope in action during the A-Day game in April. If you don’t remember his name, surely you remember the hit he put on receiver Jermaine Burton at the start of the fourth quarter. He’s also very fast and can cover a lot of ground quickly. That might get him on the field this season.

The wild card at strong safety is UAB transfer Jaylen Key. He made good use of his time with the Blazers, earning an honorable mention spot on the All-Conference USA team in 2022. He arrived on campus after the spring game, so we’ll have to wait and see how he looks on the field for Alabama in the fall.

No one knows what to expect at free safety, but the general consensus is freshman Caleb Downs is going to be the starter. The 5-star player was ranked as the No. 6 prospect by Sports Illustrated.

“I feel like a guy like Caleb, he's very dedicated,” said junior cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. “Every time I pop up at the facility, he's already been there for maybe an hour or two getting extra work in with the coaches, learning the defense, doing small things. That's very important to learn the defense. He’s doing a lot of little things right.”

There is a lot of hype around Downs. At 6-foot, 203 pounds, he’s got the perfect frame for the free safety spot.

Then there is DeVonta Smith. No, not that DeVonta Smith. This Smith is a junior from Cincinnati who has played mostly on special teams. He saw action at safety in a few games last season, mostly in mop-up duty.

There are options there, even though there isn’t much experience. The talent is there, and someone has the chance to step up and be a star, just like the ones that came before them.

Projected Depth Chart

Strong Safety

• Malachi Moore (Sr.)
• Jaylen Key (Sr.) or Kristian Story (Sr.)
• Jake Pope (RFr.)

Free Safety

• Caleb Downs (Fr.)
• DeVonta Smith (Jr.)
• Brayson Hubbard (Fr.)
  

Nickel (Star)/Dime (Money)

• Malachi Moore (Sr.) or Earl Little II (So.)

2023 Crimson Tide Safeties

Some of the key players that you'll see playing for Alabama this season:

Caleb Downs

Freshman, 6'0" 203 lbs

One of the top players in the 2023 recruiting class, regardless of position. The unanimous 5-star recruit and the top-rated safety in the 2023 recruiting class by all major outlets. He was also the unanimous No. 1 player in the state of Georgia, the No. 6 recruit on Sports Illustrated’s SI99 and ranked No. 11 on the 247Composite. Enrolled early and was working with the first-team defense on A-Day. 

Brayson Hubbard

Freshman, 6'2" 195 lbs

Rated a consensus 4-star prospect, including No. 242 on the ESPN300, the No. 21 athlete, No. 5 player in Mississippi and No. 123 in the Southeast Region. He was No. 367 in the On3 Consensus, the No. 34 safety and No. 6 player in the state. Hubbard was the No. 37 safety by On3 and No. 9 in the state; No. 334 on the 247Composite, the No. 15 athlete and No. 6 player in Mississippi.

Jaylen Key

Graduate Student, 6'2" 210 lbs

Transferred from UAB after spring practices. Played in 43 games over seasons for the Blazers and for his career has 74 total tackles, including 3.5 for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, five pass breakups and three interceptions. He was credited with 60 stops, including 4.5 for loss, and three interceptions last season while named All-Conference USA honorable mention.

Antonio Kite

Redshirt Freshman, 6'1" 182 lbs

Played in two games last season, against ULM and ten played on special teams in the Sugar Bowl. 

Tony Mitchell

Freshman, 6'2" 205 lbs

There's speculation that he could redshirt this season after getting a second chance as Mitchell was arrested for marijuana possession while on a trip to Florida. The car he was in, which evaded police, also had in it a gun, scales and cash. Alabama immediately suspended him, but he's back at school and on the roster. He was a 5-star prospect, ranted No. 34 nationally, and the No. 3 safety, by the 247Composite.

Malachi Moore

Senior, 6'0" 198 lbs

He's a three-year contributor who played in all 13 games last season, but only made one start. He was credited with 31 tackles, including 1.5 sacks, to go with five pass breakups. Against ULM scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 3 yards in to the end zone for a touchdown. Was named third-team preseason All-American by Pro Football Focus 

Alabama Athletics

Jake Pope

Redshirt freshman, 6'1" 192 lbs

He did not play in a game last season and redshirted. 

Devonta Smith

Junior, 6'0" 194 lbs

Played mostly on special teams last season, while getting on the field in 10 games. He was not credited with any tackles, though. 

Kristian Story

Senior, 6'1" 211 lbs

Earned time in 13 games with five tackles last season, after playing in 12 games the previous season. Led all Crimson Tide special-team players with three tackles on kickoff coverage in the Sugar Bowl.  

This is the first story in a series previewing each position of the 2023 Crimson Tide. 

SEE ALSO: 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide Eligibility Tracker