Alabama football's defensive backfield remained relatively consistent throughout the 2024 season.
Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown manned both cornerback positions. Malachi Moore and Keon Sabb , and Bray Hubbard after Sabb's injury, took both safety spots. And DeVonta Smith was the Crimson Tide 's slot corner, it's Husky.
In 2025, Alabama expected to have to fill one of those spots with Moore finishing his final season in 2024, one that is expected to be filled by Hubbard. Now, the Crimson Tide will have to fill two.
Smith, per multiple reports, entered the NCAA transfer portal after four years with the Crimson Tide and one season remaining of collegiate eligibility.
In his first season as a starting defensive back, Smith had a career-high 30 tackles, five pass deflections and a forced fumble.
Now, Alabama will have to fill another hole, one the Crimson Tide currently has the pieces to do so.
Heading into the Crimson Tide's ReliaQuest Bowl appearance against Michigan , the Husky duties will likely fall to Wake Forest transfer DaShawn Jones or freshman Red Morgan , who shared second-string duties behind Smith for much of 2024.
Charlotte transfer Kameron Howard and freshman Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. could also push for playing time at the slot corner spot.
Both of Alabama's cornerbacks in the 2025 class — Dijon Lee and Chuck McDonald — are projected to be outside cornerbacks.
But linebacker Darrell Johnson , a 6-foot-1, 200-pound four-star out of Eastman, Georgia, said he's talked with Crimson Tide defensive back coaches before his arrival. While he said he plans to arrive as a future Mike linebacker, Johnson said his positionless versatility is what helped him catch the eye of Alabama.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What's next for Alabama football after losing defensive starter to transfer portal
