Why former Alabama coach Nick Saban was encouraged by Crimson Tide's final scrimmage

The Alabama football secondary lost nearly all its key players from last season, making that unit the one to worry about for former UA coach Nick Saban . Cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold were early picks in the NFL draft, while safety Caleb Downs transferred to Ohio State, and cornerback Trey Amos left for Ole Miss.

Saban attended the Crimson Tide's second and final fall scrimmage last Saturday, however, and came away encouraged by what he saw from a defensive backfield that's been through a major rebuild.

"I was worried about the defense, but I think the defense really impressed me in this scrimmage that they have come along," Saban said on ESPN's College GameDay. "If they can play the kind of defense, especially in the secondary because they lost so many players in the secondary, they’re going to be right up there challenging people.”

One of Alabama's team captains, Malachi Moore, returns at a safety position, and another returning veteran, Devonta Smith, is expected to see significant action at the nickelback position as well. Beyond that, the UA secondary will be manned largely by incoming transfers and freshmen. Transfers include Domani Jackson (USC), Keon Sabb (Michigan), King Mack (Penn State), DaShawn Jones (Wake Forest) and Kam Howard (Charlotte). Promising freshmen Zabien Brown, Jalen Mbakwe and Zavier Mincey have impressed the new coaching staff as well.

Alabama opens the season next Saturday at home against Western Kentucky, and the Hilltoppers are expected to bring an aggressive passing attack to Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.

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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Why former Alabama coach Nick Saban was encouraged by Crimson Tide's final scrimmage