Defensive Back
Starting safeties: Ronnie Harrison, Minkah Fitzpatrick
Backups: Jared Mayden, Laurence “Hootie” Jones
The defensive back group is a strong group led by Ronnie Harrison and Minkah Fitzpatrick at the safety position. Ronnie Harrison was second on the Alabama Crimson Tide defense in tackles last season (83). He also had two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, seven pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
Minkah Fitzpatrick led the team with six interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown. Fitzpatrick is a ball-hawking safety who makes teams pay when they throw his way. He stepped up big last season when Eddie Jackson was lost for the season with a broken leg. His play earned him All-American honors as well as first team All-SEC honors.
Jared Mayden will serve as one reserve safety. He saw limited action as a true freshman last year but his role will certainly expand this year on the top defense in the nation. Hootie Jones is a rising senior who saw action in 13 games last season. He had 20 tackles and four pass breakups.
Starting cornerbacks: Trevon Diggs, Anthony Averett
Backups: Tony Brown, Nigel Knott
Trevon Diggs enters 2017 looking to play a bigger role at cornerback. He was a two-way player last season, serving as a kick returner/wide receiver and defensive back. He caught 11 receptions for 88 receiving yards and a touchdown and also had five tackles on defense.
Anthony Averett serves as the other starting cornerback. He led the defense last season with eight pass breakups and had 48 tackles (39 solo). The rising junior was a first-year starter in 2016.
Tony Brown is one defensive back who will see a lot of time, whether at the backup corner spot or the team’s Star position in nickel packages. He racked 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 10 games of actions last year.
Redshirt freshman Nigel Knott will serve as the other reserve at cornerback. He was a redshirt player in 2016.
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