Alabama's roster proves it is 'DBU'

There are plenty of programs that claim to be Defensive Back University. Jimmy Stein of BamaOnLine.com says there is no doubt that Alabama is the true DBU.

Stein recently joined Clint Lamb on the On3 Roundtable and explained how the current Crimson Tide roster shows that Alabama holds the title of DBU.

“Truly DBU. Truly. It’s never been more apparent,” Stein said of Alabama. “When you lose the DBs that they lost — [Brian] Branch — a highly drafted guy, Jordan Battle — pretty highly drafted. I mean I bet he ends up being a starting safety for the Bengals. … [DeMarcco] Hellams gets drafted. [Eli] Ricks is in the NFL. Khyree Jackson is gone to play at Oregon. … You lose all these guys and then the best thing, the trait of the secondary that stands out the most to me the next following year is the depth. The depth of quality candidates.”

As Stein points out, Alabama lost a lot of talent but still has a loaded secondary for 2023. The group is led by All-American Kool-Aid McKinstry and also includes Caleb Downs, who was rated as the No. 5 overall player in the class of 2023, according to the On3 Industry rankings. Downs is expected to contribute right away this season.

“Now probably a little low on star power, but when I say that — Kool-Aid could be the first corner taken in the draft. He is a superstar college player. I think Terrion Arnold is a future pro player. Caleb Downs could — it’s so unfair to put this on a kid — he has the potential to be one of the Saban greats. Like a Minkah Fitzpatrick type. Could be. It’s unfair to expect that quickly as a freshman. Malachi Moore is real solid. I don’t know exactly what his pro prospects are. That’ll be interesting to break down as we go on through the season. But as a college player, Malachi Moore has been very good.”

Moore started in the secondary as a true freshman at Alabama in 2020, before putting together up-and-down seasons in 2021 and 2022. If he can get back to playing like a star in 2023, to go along with McKinstry, Downs and others, watch out.

“I hope we see a little bit more freshman-year Malachi as I think he’s fought first an injury situation as a sophomore. And then kind of losing his spot to Brian Branch — which is understandable, by the way,” Stein said. “It’ll be interesting to see if we get the freshman year Malachi. And I think we might.”