Alabama’s defensive backfield is committed to being a lockdown force.
Jason Jones, a former Crimson Tide player, joined the program in the spring as a safeties coach — replacing Colin Hitschler. He and Maurice Linguist (cornerbacks) will bounce ideas off each other, but Kane Wommack’s theme of vision coverage is the prominent focus. Fourteen of Alabama’s 17 interceptions in 2024 came from its secondary. Twelve of those picks are back as Brayson Hubbard, Keon Sabb, Domani Jackson, and Zabien Brown have returned on defense.
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Jaylen Mbakwe, a former five-star athlete, had an interception last year at cornerback, but he has transitioned to offense as a wide receiver. The Tide picked up a talented transfer (Cameron Calhoun) from Utah and signed a few freshmen with big time potential.
How good will Alabama be in the secondary? It has a couple of players training with a high-end specialist to make sure they shut down explosive plays. Calhoun and Dijon Lee, a former five-star, are working with Oliver Davis II of Sweet Feet Sports Training in Atlanta, Ga.
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Davis specializes in getting defensive backs right.
Calhoun, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, played cornerback at Michigan and Utah before transferring to Alabama. He played 11 games in his lone season for the Utes in 2024, recording 21 tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, and a team-high nine pass breakups. Calhoun tied for fourth in the Big 12 for breakups through the regular season. The 6-foot, 180-pounder plays with aggressiveness and intensity. He likes to intimidate receivers by getting right in their faces.
Lee, a California native, is an impressive specimen. He is 6-foot-4, yet his long arms and hands give him a wingspan of 6-foot-8. The 197-pounder is freakishly athletic and was a superstar at Mission Viejo High School. Lee collected eight interceptions, broke up 18 passes, and had 139 total tackles. He accomplished a lot in football and track, but now he brings those skills to the collegiate game for Alabama. Lee had a good spring that saw him earn reps with the first-team defense. He is competing with Zabien Brown to start at corner, opposite Domani Jackson.
It will be fun to watch the development of Calhoun and Lee in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and writer for The Bama Standard. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
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