Alabama football: 1 offensive and 1 defensive player poised to break out in 2021
By John Buhler
Malachi Moore should be a sensational sophomore in the Alabama secondary
Alabama has been defined by elite defensive back play throughout the Nick Saban era. The Crimson Tide’s most recent star in the back-end of its defense was cornerback Patrick Surtain II. He was a unanimous All-American and went on to be a top-10 pick by the Denver Broncos in this past spring’s draft. One guy who will have to step up in his departure is safety Malachi Moore.
According to the 247Sports Composite, Moore was a four-star recruit coming out of high school. He was the No. 9 player from Alabama, the No. 19 safety in the country and the No. 211 player nationally in the 2020 recruiting class. In his freshman season at Alabama, he did make an impact with 44 total tackles, four for a loss, six passes defended and three interceptions in his 11 games.
Though defensive backs typically play free in Saban’s scheme, a star playmaker in the back-end usually pops in his sophomore season. While it is way too early to even think about Moore being the next Landon Collins, Minkah Fitzpatrick or Eddie Jackson in Alabama uniform, he is entering the right season at the right position group at the right school for this all to theoretically happen.
Ultimately, Alabama not only needs Moore and Young to ball out in their sophomore years but will need others to step up as well to repeat in the SEC. Teams like Georgia and Texas A&M should be top-10 teams in the country as well. Alabama may face a daunting regular-season schedule, but if the Crimson Tide can win 10 conference games a season ago, this program can really do anything.
Look for other players to join Moore and Young in their breakout seasons for the Crimson Tide.
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