Nick Saban on returning Kool-Aid McKinstry, Malachi Moore: They have the same opportunity as everyone else

Spring practice has officially kicked off for Alabama as they start working toward a return to the SEC and National Championship. Per usual, the Crimson Tide have lost a handful of players to the NFL, but they do return two experienced defensive backs, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Malachi Moore. Alabama head coach Nick Saban was asked about the duo, and what kind of opportunity they have this spring ahead of the season.

“It’s an opportunity for them to play, it’s an opportunity for them to create value for themselves in their future by how they play. But it’s no different for them than it is for all the other guys,” Saban said.

Both McKinstry and Moore established themselves as two of the Crimson Tide’s most valuable defenders. Moore notched 31 tackles,1.5 sacks, and five pass breakups in his junior season, also making an impact on special teams with a returned blocked punt for a touchdown and winning special teams player of the week by Alabama’s coaches in three different weeks last season.

McKinstry did the same, being Alabama’s starting cornerback and punt returner last season. He earned numerous All-American and All-SEC honors from numerous publications with 35 tackles, 15 pass breakups, a sack, and an interception on the season along with the second most punt return yards and yards per punt return in the nation.

The secondary duo may have impressed last season, but it’s a new year in Saban’s eyes, and one where last season’s success doesn’t guarantee anything this season.

“How responsible and accountable are you to do your job? How do you pay attention to details so that you can self-assess and improve and try to get better at what you do?” Saban asked. “And have a sense of urgency about how you approach everything every day and pay attention to detail.”

Saban’s always had an affinity for the details and the daily process, and it’s clear that every player on the Crimson Tide will have the same opportunities if they capitalize on just that. But he did also acknowledge the value that McKinstry and Moore bring to the table with their experience.

“So I think that’s everybody’s opportunity and I don’t see it any different for those guys. They have experience, experience probably matters, their leadership probably matters and how it helps other players around them develop, but I think that creates value for them as well,” Saban said.

Alabama’s secondary has been a staple of their program for years now under Saban, and it will be interesting to see what changes will arise on the backend this upcoming season for the Crimson Tide.