Tag: Jaylen Key

Post-spring depth chart projections for Alabama’s defensive backs

Projecting Alabama football’s defensive back depth chart post-spring!

Now that spring football has officially wrapped up and the 2023 NFL draft is complete, it is time to shift our focus to the offseason.

Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide have many questions exiting spring and fans are champing at the bit for answers.

So as we dive into the dog days of summer, I thought we would take a look, position by position, and project the possible depth chart for the 2023 Alabama football team post-spring.

We have already taken a look at the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, outside linebackers and inside linebackers. Today we wrap up our projections with the position group that has made a couple of portal additions over the past week, the defensive backs.

Transfer Portal: How Alabama’s portal additions fit in with the Tide

A closer look at Alabama football’s transfer portal additions!

Like it or not, the transfer portal has consumed college athletics. The portal seems to be in a constant state of disorder and confusion and this chaos has turned into the new normal for all of those involved.

Even for a program with deep roots and consistent excellence like Nick Saban has built at Alabama, the transfer portal does not discriminate and it has had its effects on the Crimson Tide.

Since the end of the 2022 regular season, Alabama has had a total of 16 scholarship players enter the portal. On the flip side, the Crimson Tide has brought in a total of five players from out of the portal.

With all of the roster turnover, I thought it would be a good time to quickly go over each addition that Alabama has made this offseason from the transfer portal!

Enjoy!

Alabama Football lands commitment from UAB safety transfer Jaylen Key

UAB safety transfer Jaylen Key chose Alabama over Florida State and Ole Miss. Key took official visits to all three schools before making his decision.

The Alabama football program received more good news as Jaylen Key announced his commitment to Alabama on Friday. Key makes for the fifth transfer that Alabama has landed this off-season. The other four were CJ Dippre (Maryland), Tyler Buchner (Notre Dame), Trezmen Marshall (Georgia), and Trey Amos (Louisiana).

Key made two trips to Tuscaloosa prior to making his decision. One was for an unofficial visit while the other visit was official. Key also took official visits to both Ole Miss and Florida State. Key ultimately chose the Crimson Tide over the Rebels and Seminoles.

In four seasons at UAB, Key tallied 78 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions. The majority of those statistics came during his redshirt-junior season as he recorded 60 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and threee interceptions.

With Alabama losing safeties DeMarcco Hellams, Brian Branch, and Jordan Battle to the NFL draft, Key could come in and have an opportunity to compete for a starting safety spot.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama football program and its involvement in the transfer portal.

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REPORT: Alabama portal target Jaylen Key set to announce this week

Can Alabama land yet another coveted defensive back from the transfer portal this week?

Earlier this week we reported that UAB defensive back transfer Jaylen Key would be in Tuscaloosa this past Monday for a visit with coach [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Tide.

On Wednesday afternoon, Matt Zenitz of On3 reported that Key now has decided to make his commitment before the end of this week.

Key’s top schools include Alabama, Ole Miss, and Florida State. Although Alabama has plenty of talent in the backend of the defense, experience is sorely lacking. Adding Key might be the missing piece to the puzzle for the Tide.

Alabama has already landed one highly sought-after defensive back from the transfer portal this week in Louisiana’s Trey Amos.

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Alabama transfer portal target Jaylen Key set to be in Tuscaloosa on Monday

Alabama to host transfer portal target Jaylen Key on Monday!

I am not sure there is anything more headline-dominating in college football than the NCAA transfer portal. [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide are not exempt from the conversation.

Alabama has lost its fair share of players to the portal but has also gained some very impactful players from the abyss.

On Monday, Alabama is expected to host one such portal prospect in former UAB Blazer Jaylen Key.

Jaylen Key announced on Sunday evening on his Twitter account that he would be in Tuscaloosa the following day.

Key is one of the most coveted defensive back prospects in the portal after having a spectacular season in 2022 for the Blazers where he accumulated 60 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions from his safety position.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to monitor Jaylen’s portal status and will provide an update when it becomes available!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

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Alabama lands in top 6 for UAB safety transfer Jaylen Key

UAB safety transfer Jaylen Key recently took a visit to Alabama. Key has narrowed his list down to six finalists with Alabama being included among others.

UAB safety transfer Jaylen Key is down to six schools: Alabama, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Florida State, Oregon, and North Carolina. He recently took an unofficial visit to Alabama last week.

Key has spent the past five seasons playing for the Blazers. During that stretch, he has recorded 78 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions. As a redshirt-junior, Key was listed as a All-Conference USA Honorable Mention.

He is recently visited to Ole Miss. At this time, we can not confirm if Key plans to take any other visits.

With Alabama losing three safeties, DeMarcco Hellams, Brian Branch, and Jordan Battle to the NFL draft, it could open up an opportunity for the Tallahassee native to see some playing time.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama football program and its involvement in the transfer portal.

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UAB safety transfer Jaylen Key visits Alabama one day after entering transfer portal

UAB transfer Jaylen Key entered his name into the transfer portal on Monday. According to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer, Key was on a visit to Alabama on Wednesday afternoon.

UAB safety transfer Jaylen Key was on a visit to Alabama on Wednesday, according to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer.

Key entered the transfer portal on Monday and has already begun to set up official visits. Other schools that are expected to receive visits are Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

The Florida native joined the Blazers as a part of the 2018 recruiting class. He has spent the past five seasons playing for the Blazers.

His breakout season came in 2022 as Key tallied 60 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions. Following the season, Key was listed as an All-Conference USA Honorable Mention.

With Alabama losing three safeties, DeMarcco Hellams, Brian Branch, and Jordan Battle, it makes sense for the Tide to create more depth at the safety position. The room currently consists of Caleb Downs, Kristian Story, DeVonta Smith, Jake Pope, and Brayson Hubbard. Defensive back Malachi Moore is expected to move to the STAR position with Jahquez Robinson transferring from the program.

Key would be a valuable addition to Alabama’s defense. It will be interesting to see if the Tide can land a commitment from the C-USA standout.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama football program and its involvement in the transfer portal.

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