4. Jordan Battle (S/Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
It takes a special type of player to crack the rotation on a Nick Saban coached defense as a true freshman, particularly in the defensive backfield. The secondary has long been Saban’s specialty, and he remains hands-on with coaching up the defensive backs. Ever the perfectionist, Saban has high expectations for every player on the field, especially though in the secondary.
It’s been rare to see freshmen play right away, only the best-of-the-best, guys like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Surtain — have been able to do so.
Could Jordan Battle be the next guy to step in and make an immediate impact in Alabama’s secondary?
The Alabama staff made Battle a high priority, even at the risk of potentially turning away Dax Hill. The coaches see Battle as a good fit as a slot corner, the Star position of the Alabama defense that has been occupied by guys like Minkah Fitzpatrick over the years.
This season, redshirt junior Shyheim Carter has been excellent in that role, being a huge difference maker for a Tide secondary that was forced to replace its top six contributors for a year ago due to graduations and early entrees into the NFL Draft.
Carter should be back next season and his job his safe, but there could be some dime and quarter situations that Battle could be a factor in if he comes in and develops quickly.
Redshirt junior safety Deionte Thompson is almost certainly off to the NFL as a projected first round pick, so there will be an opening in the Crimson Tide’s secondary for 2019.
Battle isn’t likely to factor into the battle for one of the starting positions at safety, but he could very well compete for a role in the secondary when Alabama is putting six defensive backs on the field.