Nick Saban reveals three Alabama players primarily playing Star position

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama’s defensive backs have been “rolling all over the place” during the preseason, coach Nick Saban said, as several players are leaning multiple positions.

For most, that means they are getting time at their primary position – cornerback or safety – and then working at either the Star or Money spots in the Crimson Tide’s nickel and dime packages. Alabama has a base 3-4 defense, but more often than not, it operates out of its nickel formation with five defensive backs on the field. So who is getting the most reps at the Star?

“Malachi (Moore) gets reps at Star. Jaylen (Key) gets reps at Star. Earl (Little) gets reps at Star. Those are probably the three primary guys,” Saban said. “We’re also working Terrion Arnold to get some reps at Star. We want to have three or four guys who can play it. You don’t want to have an issue when one guy goes down and you’ve got nobody else to play that spot.”

Moore is expected to be a big part of Alabama’s 2023 defense, but the versatile defensive back can wear several hats. In the spring, he primarily practiced at safety with the first-team defense, but he moved back to a familiar role at Star after a couple of players entered the transfer portal. Ahead of the season, Moore has received reps at both positions in the secondary.

But does the Crimson Tide veteran have a preference for where he will line up this fall?

“Not really,” Moore said. “Just the Star position I’ve been playing a little bit longer, so I know a lot of the adjustments and things that’s coming. But safety is also fun, to me, to play. I don’t know. It makes me excited when I get to move around and stuff like that.”

Key brought needed experience to the Alabama defensive backfield, having played in 43 games over the last four years after redshirting in 2018. In the two scrimmages, the UAB transfer has lined up at safety with the first-team defense, playing alongside true freshman Caleb Downs. He has also worked in the box, receiving reps at Star and Money, prior to his first year as a member of the Crimson Tide. Like Moore, he could be someone who plays multiple roles.

“I think he can play in the deep part of the field, and I think he can play in the box,” Saban said earlier in fall camp. “I think that he’s learning, but he’s got a great attitude and he’s smart. And I think the experience that he has, because he has played before and played some games at this level in the SEC, will really help him develop. 

“I think he’s gonna be a guy that can really help us and contribute. I’m not sure exactly what role yet. We’re moving a lot of guys around to different positions, but we’re trying to find the best five guys to sort of play the best spots in the back end.”

Rounding out the trio of primary Star options is Little, who redshirted last season. Little spent a lot of the spring at Star with the first unit but had to play with the twos in the A-Day Game due to transfer portal departures. With more depth added this summer, Little has found himself behind more experienced players like Moore, Key and Trey Amos, but he remains in the mix.

“Earl is a great playmaker, great teammate, great guy,” Arnold said. “I’ve seen a lot of different things. I would say the No. 1 thing I’ve seen out of Earl is his maturity. He doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low and he just continues to come in here and work every day.”

Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!

Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up now for a year’s worth of premium access for $74.99! Or you can also gain monthly access for just $1! Get access to premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting content and also join thousands of Crimson Tide fans on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!