Tag: defensive backs

Trevon Diggs uses facts to defend ‘Alabama is DBU’

Though many other programs try to claim it, there can only be one DBU.

Former Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs is known for interceptions and making headlines for his play on the field. Now, he’s in the news for supporting the Crimson Tide.

Diggs, who played at Alabama from 2016-2020, was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He joined a handful of other standout Crimson Tide defensive backs in the NFL, and has welcomed in several others since then.

Though other programs like LSU or Georgia may try to claim the title of ‘DBU,’ Diggs argues that Alabama is the premier program in developing NFL-ready defensive backs.

Diggs responded to a Tweet by Pro Football Focus, which asked fans which cornerback listed was CB1 in the NFL. Three of the seven on the list are former members of the Crimson Tide.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football and former players now in the NFL.

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Alabama safety Jordan Battle officially declares for 2023 NFL draft

Alabama safety Jordan Battle is officially headed to the 2023 NFL draft.

Alabama safety Jordan Battle spent four seasons in Tuscaloosa and will now leave the program with his eyes set on the NFL, according to his recent Instagram post.

Battle has officially declared for the 2023 NFL draft.

Through four years, Battle managed to see meaningful playing time every season and certainly made the most of it.

In total, Battle finishes his college career with some impressive stats. He amassed 252 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, 10 passes defended, three touchdowns and one sack.

Currently, Battle is expected to be a first-round draft pick, which is well-deserved considering his high level of play.

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Pete Carroll consults Richard Sherman for input about young Seahawks secondary

Sherman knows a thing or two about elite secondary play, so his insight should prove valuable.

The Seattle Seahawks have a young secondary with numerous rookies in the fold who may be promising pieces for the near future and could be expected to make an impact early on in the 2022 season. Head coach Pete Carroll has been consulting with a very familiar face regarding the young defensive backs.

Former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman attended the team’s mock game at Lumen Field on Saturday to observe them in action.

“I think Sherm is just curious. I think he’s just trying to keep up with it. It was really good to see him.” Carroll said.

The twelfth-year Seahawks head coach revealed that he plans to meet with Sherman again this week, presumably to discuss the current state of the secondary, their potential, and room for improvement.

“I’ll talk with him again this week,” Carroll said. “He got to watch our guys, and we have some stuff to talk about.”

Safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs are in the prime of their respective careers, but rookie cornerbacks Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen will be the ones to watch in the coming weeks.

Sherman knows a thing or two about elite secondary play, so his insight should prove valuable. Hopefully, it will help Carroll and the defensive coaching staff understand what they need to do to bring these particular young guns along.

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Ryan Watts deemed one of the ‘most impactful’ DB transfers of 2022

Ryan Watts is ready to make a strong impact in the Texas secondary.

Former Ohio State defensive back Ryan Watts is one of Texas’ many key additions from the transfer portal this offseason.

Watts brings much needed experience and athleticism to the Longhorns’ secondary. He snagged two interceptions in 19 games with Ohio State playing behind a few future NFL Draft picks. With the path to playing time more clear at Texas, Watts is ready to prove himself in 2022.

On3 Sports recently ranked the top 15 “most impactful” defensive back transfers heading into the 2022 season. Watts is listed at No. 15 after standing out in spring practice.

Texas nabbed two players from Ohio State in the transfer portal who are Dallas-area natives. QB Quinn Ewers is the one who has gotten all the attention; Ryan Watts, a big corner at 6 feet 3 and 210 pounds, is the other one. Watts had a strong spring and figures to be at one of the corner spots when Texas is in its nickel package. Watts played in 19 games in two seasons, with one start, at Ohio State.

Watts is expected to play a huge role on the Texas defense looking to a bounce back campaign this fall.

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Grading each position group after national signing day

Our virtual report card by position group after national signing day.

In the transfer portal era, college football rosters are never set, but with the passing of national signing day, Auburn’s roster should not be going through any more massive change soon. But then again with the uncertainty around the head coach, never say never.

Auburn whiffed on their remaining targets on sighing day and with Ja’varrius Johnson entering the portal, left the day with fewer players than it started with. The Tigers finished with the No. 18 recruiting class according to the 247Sports class ranking. Auburn added 23 players to the roster, 18 high school signees, and five transfers.

The group is led by four-star linebacker Robert Woodyard who is ranked as the No. 13 linebacker and No. 141 overall player in the country. The class also features three top 10 JUCO players, No. 1 player Jeffrey M’ba, No. 1 cornerback Keionte Scott, and No. 1 safety Marquise Gilbert.

Of the transfers, most notable is the addition of not one, but two quarterbacks. Auburn added former Texas A&M starter Zach Calzada and former Oregon Duck Robby Ashford.

With the additions and subtractions let’s grade every position group ahead of the 2022 season, this grade will focus more on the coming season than long-term projection.

Early position outlook: Texas will have huge battles at DB

There will be new faces all over the defensive backfield

While most of the attention in terms of position battles has been placed on the quarterbacks, offensive line, and even the defensive line there is still one more position group that might have the biggest position battle of them all.

The defensive back group for Texas is one to watch out for, as there will be new faces all over the field after the Longhorns lost Josh Thompson (NFL), Darrion Dunn (graduation), Brenden Schooler (graduation), and B.J. Foster (Sam Houston State). The only two returners they have that started last season are corner D’Shawn Jamison and Anthony Cook who played at the “star” position.

This gives room for players like sophomore Jahdae Barron, sophomore Jerrin Thompson, and sophomore Kitan Crawford. Each has seen some time in their two years and has the opportunity to solidify their roles.

It will not be an easy task to win a starting job, however, as the Longhorns brought in a slew of talented defensive backs. In their 2022 class the staff added four-star Terrance Brooks and four-star Jaylon Guilbeau. Both of them are early enrollees and are looking to fight for time right away.

Texas was also able to add some experience via the transfer portal in Ryan Watts out of Ohio State, who has the versatility to play either corner or safety.

The biggest addition of the offseason may not even be a player, as the Longhorns were able to convince Gary Patterson to cross enemy lines and accept an assistant to the head coach role. Patterson will be able to provide feedback on personnel and strategy.

Texas will need all the help they can get, as the pass defense was average at best last season They ranked as the No. 62 team in terms of passing yards allowed giving up 224 per game, and over 10 yards per completion.

The Longhorns did miss out on multiple transfers that could have added more experience and tangible college production, and it doesn’t seem they will get a chance to add anyone else. These position battles may be one of the most intense on the roster, and right now the only defensive back who realistically has their spot close to solidified is Cook. Every other starting spot in the defensive backfield should be up for grabs.

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Seahawks expected to consider Nick Sorensen for defensive backs coach

Seahawks expected to consider Nick Sorensen for defensive backs coach

Now that the Seattle Seahawks have fired both defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. and defensive backs coach Andre Curtis, they must find suitable candidates to replace them.

While the defensive coordinator job will receive more attention, Pro Football Network reporter Aaron Wilson stated that Seattle may consider a former Seahawks secondary coach for the position.

Nick Sorensen is currently the special teams coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but worked for the Seahawks from 2013 to 2020. He served as assistant special teams coach during his first three years, assistant defensive backs coach in 2016, and secondary coach from 2017 to 2020.

Sorensen’s future with Jacksonville is up in the air, as they had the worst record in the NFL this season and the entire coaching staff may be in for an overhaul. However, the organization will likely evaluate and reach out to multiple candidates as is standard with every coaching job in this league an sports in general. We will all see what happens soon enough.

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Georgia could have greatest DB recruiting class ever…and it might not be done yet

This class of defensive backs is just sick…

Georgia currently has the nation’s No. 1 ranked recruiting class for the 2022 cycle after the commitment of 5-star cornerback Daylen Everette on Tuesday.

Everette becomes the sixth defensive back to commit to UGA in this class, and the third 5-star defensive back.

With the start of the early signing period set to begin on Wednesday, the Dawgs are in great position to reel in the greatest recruiting class of defensive backs that college football has ever seen.

Here’s who Georgia has committed in the secondary, plus one more who very well may announce his commitment to Georgia on Wednesday.

Alabama football position preview: Defensive backs

Previewing the Alabama defensive backs

Last season saw Alabama returning just one starter in the back end of the defense in Patrick Surtain. This season the only spot open is the void that Surtain left after being a top ten pick in the NFL draft this spring.

Let’s take a look at some of the guys who are expected to see playing time this fall in the Alabama defensive backfield.

Projected Starters:

Name/Pos.: Josh Jobe, CB

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 194 pounds

Josh Jobe is entering his second full season as a starter at corner for the Tide. Jobe is coming off a season where he finished tied for third in the country with 11 passes defended. Jobe has played in the shadows of Patrick Surtain for the past couple of seasons but now looks to lead the cornerbacks in Tuscaloosa.

Name/Pos.: Jayln Armour-Davis, CB

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 192 pounds

Armour-David is a talented corner with great length and athleticism. He had a really good spring and has carried that over to fall camp. But will he be able to hold off future stars Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold? This is one of the most intriguing battles in fall camp.

Name/Pos.: Malachi Moore, STAR

Height/Weight: 6-foot-0, 190 pounds

Last season Moore was one of the breakout players for the Tide. He finished his true-freshman campaign with 3 interceptions and added another 6 passes defended. With a year of experience under his belt, Moore could become one of the best defensive backs in the entire country this season.

Name/Pos.: Jordan Battle, SS

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 210 pounds

Battle saw some action as a true freshman in the 2019 season and flashed his potential then. Last year he showed the continued development leading the backend of the Alabama defense. Battle is a physical player with great instincts and ball skills. If Battle can become more of a playmaker you could see his name rise up the ranks heading into the 2022 NFL draft.

Name/Pos.: DeMarcco Hellams, FS

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 208 pounds

Hellams is a play to become one of the breakout players for the Tide this fall. Last season Hellams slowly starting taking some reps from Daniel Wright at FS, and you started to see some of the potential that Hellams has. Hellams may be one of the hardest hitters on the entire Alabama team. If he can improve his coverage skills, Hellams will be one of the top defensive players in the SEC.

Name/Pos.: Brian Branch, MONEY

Height/Weight: 6-foot-0, 190 pounds

Branch came to Tuscaloosa last season as one of the top-rated defenders in the 2020 class. Branch battled Moore for the starting spot at STAR where Moore got the upper hand, but around the middle of the season, you started to see more of Branch in the MONEY packages. Branch is one of the best cover guys on the team and according to some sources, he has seen some reps at corner this fall. Branch could become the breakout player for Alabama this season on defense.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

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2021 fall training camp roster: Vols’ defensive backs

2021 fall training camp roster: Vols’ defensive backs

Tennessee will kick off the 2021 football season on Sept. 2 against Bowling Green at Neyland Stadium under first-year head coach Josh Heupel.

Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. EDT. SEC Network will televise the matchup.

The 2021 season-opening game against Bowling Green begins the centennial celebration of Neyland Stadium, which opened in 1921.

Tennessee will play four regular-season nonconference contests against Bowling Green, Pittsburgh, Tennessee Tech and South Alabama. All games will be played at Neyland Stadium.

The Vols will play Southeastern Conference contests against Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia and Vanderbilt.

Below are defensive backs listed on Tennessee’s roster ahead of fall training camp.