Here’s how Alabama football’s cornerbacks shape up heading into fall camp

Alabama football 's secondary was depleted following the 2023 season.

Following the retirement of coach Nick Saban, cornerbacks coach Travaris Robinson leaving for Georgia and Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold both being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Crimson Tide returns only one member of its cornerback room from last season in Jahlil Hurley.

Alabama lost the remaining of its cornerbacks roster to the transfer portal: Trey Amos (Ole Miss), Dezz Ricks (Texas A&M), Antonio Kite (Auburn) and Earl Little (Florida State). The Crimson Tide adds USC transfer Domani Jackson and Wake Forest transfer DaShawn Jones along with true freshmen Zabien Brown, Zavier Mincey and Jaylen Mbakwe.

Maurice Linguist and Colin Hitschler joined coach Kalen DeBoer's staff over the offseason and are in charge of the Crimson Tide's defensive backfield under new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack.

Here is how Alabama’s cornerback room looks heading into fall camp. Every scholarship player and any notable walk-on is mentioned:

The options for Alabama football at cornerback

Projected starters: Domani Jackson, jr.; DaShawn Jones, r-jr.

Reserves: Jahlil Hurley, r-fr.;, Zabien Brown, fr.; Jaylen Mbakwe, fr.; Zavier Mincey, fr.

Jackson, out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, saw time in 11 of USC's games in 2023 , totaling 33 total tackles and three pass breakups. During his freshman season at USC, Jackson appeared in seven games for the Trojans with two tackles. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Jackson has two years of college football experience under his belt, making him a probable starter for the Crimson Tide at cornerback.

Jones played in 10 games for Wake Forest in 2023 , starting nine of them. He racked up 37 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and led the team with three interceptions to go with two pass breakups. In all 10 games Jones played in last season, he recorded multiple tackles in each of them. He also played in 12 of 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2022, going onto become a starter in the later portion of the season.

Hurley is the only returning member from the Crimson Tide's 2023 cornerback room. A consensus four-star prospect out of Florence, Alabama, Hurley did not see any action in 2023.

Brown, Mbakwe and Mincey come out of Alabama's 2024 recruiting class, which ranked second in the nation per the 247Sports Composite . All are five-star, blue-chip additions for Alabama.

The upside

Despite losing majority of its depth chart from last season, Alabama brought in two transfers with real-game experience which could be vital for the Crimson Tide defensive backfield.

Jackson, who was added through the transfer portal by Saban prior to his retirement, might go down as one of Alabama's most important portal additions, as it gave the Crimson Tide some elite college football experience. He was one of the top prospects in the 2022 recruiting class, where he was tabbed as a five-star prospect per the 247Sports Composite . He also was one of the top players in the transfer portal, ranking as the No. 7 cornerback.

Jones was another important pick-up for Alabama in the portal in May, helping provide experience at a position that lacks it for the Crimson Tide. Jones was originally a three-star prospect out of Mary Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore, Maryland, per the 247Sports Composite .

FAN POLL: Alabama football fan poll: Who is Alabama football's biggest rival?

ALABAMA FOOTBALL: Who's next? Here’s how Alabama football’s defensive ends shape up heading into fall camp

One question or concern

Alabama has added several talented youngsters to its squad, but many are true freshmen that lack game experience.

Mbakwe comes from just an hour away in Pinson Valley, Alabama where he played at Clay-Chalkville High School, most recently winning an AHSAA Class 6A state championship in 2023 and being named the MVP of the championship game while playing quarterback for the Cougars. Mbakwe was tabbed as the No. 2 cornerback in the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite . During his senior season, Mbakwe carried the ball 148 times for 1,065 yards and 23 scores while passing for an additional 2,007 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Brown comes to Tuscaloosa from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, where he recorded 22 tackles, one for loss, three interceptions and two forced fumbles his senior season. He was tabbed as a five-star prospect and the No. 3 cornerback in the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite.

Mincey, out of Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida, comes to the Capstone as the No. 4 cornerback in the 2024 cycle. He totaled 28 tackles, 12 pass breakups and one interception during his senior season where he led Mainland to a state title.

Breakout candidate

Jackson was originally recruited by Saban and Alabama coming out of high school, with Alabama being one of his finalists before he ultimately chose USC. Jackson was also previously recruited by Linguist when he was the co-defensive coordinator at Michigan.

Now, Jackson comes to Tuscaloosa and will be the veteran of the Crimson Tide cornerback squad. As a junior, Jackson has the chance to have a strong season to put him in prime position heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Here’s how Alabama football’s cornerbacks shape up heading into fall camp