2. Jared Mayden’s emergence
With all the great linemen and linebackers that populate your typical Nick Saban defense, the secondary often gets overlooked. But they’re the ones who make the front seven’s job look effortless. If wide receivers are routinely locked up in man coverage with help over the top, it makes stopping the run and attacking the quarterback much easier. That’s where senior safety Jared Mayden comes in.
He paced the Crimson Tide with four interceptions in 2019 and recorded 59 total tackles, the fifth-most on the team; Mayden also added three pass deflections and a tackle-for-loss. It’s not so much his numbers this season, though, but instead the “putting everything together” that you hear coaches talk about for players with great potential.
Prior to the 2019 season, Mayden played in only 14 career games and recorded 22 tackles, three pass deflections, two tackles for loss, and one sack. Can you see why I’m surprised, now? Player’s don’t typically make that big of a leap as a senior, but Mayden got an opportunity and seized it.