📡 Alabama Football: Breakout players on the Crimson Tide defense -- Who are yours for '18?

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Alabama Football: Breakout players on the Crimson Tide defense BamaHammer

Breakout players on defense

Shyheim Carter
Nick Saban is clearly pleased with Carter’s development leading into his junior season. Saban has singled out Shyheim for his leadership performance during the spring, summer workouts and fall camp. Newcomer Patrick Surtain Jr. gets much notice for versatility akin to Minkah Fitzpatrick. Carter deserves a similar comparison. Shyheim has worked at cornerback and the nickel back, star position in fall camp. If needed, he could play at ‘money’ in the dime as well. The new secondary has two guys that are first-team locks, Carter and Deionte Thompson.

Xavier McKinney
Unless there is a major change after the next scrimmage or a future injury, sophomore Xavier McKinney will earn another starting role in the secondary. Observers at the first scrimmage said McKinney already performs like a veteran at the safety spot opposite Thompson.

Patrick Surtain Jr.
Can Patrick match the freshman performance of Minkah? Many Alabama insiders think Surtain Jr. will earn a starting role in the dime defense before mid-season. At Saturday’s scrimmage, Jerry Jeudy made Patrick look human, but the young man will catch on quickly.

Quinnen Williams
Alabama football fans are concerned about a defensive line dropoff with Da’Ron Payne moving to the NFL. Redshirt sophomore, Quinnen Williams can play on the interior or at end. Look for him to more than adequately replace Payne at the nose. Quinnen is another player Nick Saban has given praise last spring and in fall camp. He is not as big as Payne but Williams has similar speed, quickness and strength.

 

[BamaFan334]

I'm going with Dylan Moses. Some say he wasn't ready last year, but he sure showed me he belonged until he was injured. other than that I'm not sure what folks were talking about. He's an easy pick though. So let me go with Eyabi Anoma. He is very raw, and I think only in his third year of playing football, but his size, speed, and hungriness will help him breakout as a Freshman. Terrell Lewis being out just gives him a lit path to that opportunity. I loved getting Xavier McKinney out of Roswell. Good size, fast, and wants to hit. He's another guy I am very excited about watching. Georgia boy.