Alabama Football Spring Preview: Defensive Backs

In recent years,Alabama may have become defensive back U.  However, this season the Crimson Tide will have plenty of work to do in order to live up to that standard.

Alabama's defensive backs will certainly take a hit this season with the loss of Dee Milliner.  Turn on the tape of the Michigan game when Milliner was fully healthy and watch the way that he was able to shut down his side of the field.  He never got much credit for it in his career, but it was that game when he proved to be a lockdown corner and you started to see offenses throw in other directions.

Often times this meant that Deion Belue was the target offensive coordinators decided to attack.  On many occasions Belue gave up the big play, however, toward the end of the season, he finally was able to settle in and look more comfortable in the defense. Remember the defense Nick Saban teaches is one of the most complex in the country and everyone from Dre Kirkpatrick to Milliner had their share of struggles early on before eventually elevating their game.  Now with Milliner heading toward the National Football League, I expect Belue to take a step forward this spring and continue to keep making steps in the fall.  He has the perfect size and speed combination (5'11, 180lbs with 4.3 speed) to be the game changer Alabama needs him to be.

While Belue was often the target of opposing offenses last year, those same offenses learned very quickly to stay away from Geno Smith, the talented 6-foot corner from Atlanta.  He didn't play a lot early on in his true freshman season, but developed very nicely as the season progressed; performing as well as any in the Southeastern Conference championship game.  Without Geno Smith locking down the inside slot, I am not so sure Alabama wins that game against Georgia.  Now in his sophomore year even more will be expected from Smith, but if last December was any indication he could be very special this season.

Another guy that I am curious to see this spring is John Fulton.  He's a player I've always had high hopes for, but has battled some injury problems during his time at Alabama.  I think if he stays healthy, and the turf toe injury that knocked him out late last season doesn’t flare up, he will be a factor in the Alabama secondary. Regardless, the need for him to play a contributing role is huge because after Belue, Smith and Fulton there are some questions at the cornerback position.

This could be one of the biggest reasons why Nick Saban has been experimenting with the moves of Dee Hart, Cyrus Jones and Christian Jones to defensive back.  I was recently talking with ESPN Tide Nation's Greg Ostendorf and he noted that he expects at least one of those guys to stick at the new position, mentioning Hart may be the lead candidate because of the plethora of running backs on the roster. While that may be the case he was also quick to add Cyrus and Christian Jones both have experience playing defensive back in high school which may make them attractive candidates if a switch is needed.

In fact, Cyrus Jones had a interception returned for a touchdown in the Under Amour High School All-American game as a cornerback before committing to Alabama, noting the Tide's interest in using him on offense.  What happens here is still up in the air, but I agree with Ostendorf-I do expect at least one to stick, more than likely Hart or Cyrus Jones. Remember, Bradley Sylve started off on the offensive side before moving over to defense.

While there are some questions at cornerback, I don't think those same questions exist at safety. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has already established himself as a key cog in the Alabama defense, but the player to keep an eye on is Landon Collins.  He was the top safety coming out of high school and is a freakish athlete.  He made an impact on special teams last season last season and as he becomes more comfortable with the playbook, he'll be the type of player opposing teams want to stay away from.

Although Clinton-Dix and Collins are two that will get a lot of the attention,Alabama has plenty of depth at safety as well. Vinnie Sunseri has been a guy who always finds himself on the field and Nick Perry earned himself a lot of playing time last season.  A couple things to keep an eye on is Jarrick Williams as he recovers from a knee injury before the start of last season and former baseball player Jai Miller who is walking on this season. Miller is a player I am curious to see on the field because he has all the athleticism, plus a 6-foot-3, 215lb frame which could make him quite the specimen.