Everything Alabama safety Jordan Battle said on Thursday

Alabama safety Jordan Battle is one of the team’s leaders heading into the 2022 season. After being relied on as a full-time starter in the secondary over his last two seasons in Tuscaloosa, the senior is now looking to finish out on a high note with his teammates.

On Thursday, Battle spoke with the media for the first time since the 2021 season ended. Below, we’ve included everything he said in that press conference.

On what went into his decision to return…

“I’m very excited to return. I’m planning to come back to get my degree in December and hopefully compete for another national championship this year as well as a team.”

On what he’s seen from Kool-Aid McKinstry…

“He’s come along very well. Right now he’s learning the playbook. He’s getting more confident, more and more comfortable with the players, the scheme. He’s teaching all the other players, he’s been able to teach other players, other corners how to play the position. So I love the progress from him as well.”

On what stands out about Eli Ricks…

“He’s also learning the playbook. He just got here. We know that. But every day he’s getting better and better. He’s learning and getting more comfortable out there. And he’s playing faster as he gets more comfortable. So we’re seeing a lot of progress from him as well.”

On how expectations are raised with several starters back on defense…

“The big thing is leadership. I know we have a lot returning, but we’ve got to stay humble, keep everybody in the right mind every day at practice. Go out there and practice harder and harder. The offense is gonna challenge us, so we gotta go out there.. you know, Bryce — Heisman award winner — gonna check and keep us on our toes. So just that focus.”

On who’s the hardest hitter in the secondary…

“ I think we have a lot of hard hitters. But there’s a couple guys who stick out like BB [Brian Branch] and DeMarcco [Hellams.] Those are probably the two hard head hitters. Think they have concussions or something. They need to check themselves. They’re hitting too hard.”

On any unfinished business for the defense…

“I feel like that’s something that fuels us individually. That’s something that comes with the Bama Standard. Coming to Bama, that’s what’s instilled in you. You want to win, and if you don’t win, you’re still hungry for more. So I think that’s the main thing of the decision to come back for us individually.”

On Jaylen Moody…

“Oh, he brings a whole bunch of energy, motivation. Moody gets better and better each year. He’s been waiting a long time, and it’s time to respond to the call. Moody’s doing a great job.”

On Javion Cohen…

“Javion brings a lot of energy. I think he learned from guys like Evan Neal, probably watching [Alex] Leatherwood. That’s who he reminds me of pretty much, Leatherwood. He’s played that role really well. He’s come in, he’s stepping in as a leader. He’s stepping up on the O-line. He’s stepping into that role pretty well.”

On what he’s working on this offseason…

“This offseason just focusing on leadership, that’s the main thing for me. Getting better in coverage. Sometimes I get a little lazy in my coverage, so just locking in every play, making sure I’m on my Ps and Qs every play locked in on the receiver. Locked in on the defense the other corners call, getting the call from the linebackers and making sure everybody’s on the same page.”

Here’s the full interview on YouTube:

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