Fitzpatrick is happy to be back at corner
Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick has played two seasons for the Crimson Tide, and that’s more than enough time to know that players do what they’re told.
Which is why Fitzpatrick smiled Thursday among reporters when asked how the conversation went with coaches concerning his return to cornerback.
“We didn’t have a conversation,” he said. “We were in the film room, and it said ‘No. 29’ at left corner.”
Alabama held its second spring workout Thursday afternoon and will practice a third time Saturday.
Fitzpatrick, a 6-foot-1, 201pound junior from New Jersey, has played all over the Crimson Tide secondary since signing as a five-star prospect in 2015. Fitzpatrick broke into the starting lineup in just his second career contest at the “star” position against Middle Tennessee State, and he played cornerback at the start of last year before shifting back to star and then to strong safety once Eddie Jackson suffered a season-ending injury.
Now, he feels back at home. “This is what I came here to play,” Fitzpatrick said. “I moved to star my freshman year because we had (cornerbacks) Marlon (Humphrey) and Cyrus (Jones) out there. Last year, Eddie went down, so I went to safety, and now I’m back to where I feel most comfortable, really.”
Fitzpatrick added that adjusting to safety last season was difficult, though it was hard to tell by his productivity. He compiled 66 tackles, five tackles for loss and a team-high six interceptions for the Crimson Tide, who won their first 14 games before falling 35-31 to Clemson in the College Football Playoff final.
Two of Fitzpatrick’s six interceptions were returned for touchdowns, including one against Florida in the Southeastern Conference title game.
“We would rather not have to change people from one place to another, but last year, based on some of the things that happened, we had to do it.” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said this week in a news conference. “Minkah has played star. He’s started games at safety, and he’s also played corner for us.
“He’s played all three of those positions very well, so it’s nice to have a guy like that.”
Saban said Fitzpatrick and Anthony Averett are working as the corners, with Tony Brown practicing at corner and star.
“We didn’t have a conversation. We were in the film room, and it said ‘No. 29’ at left corner.”
– MINKAH FITZPATRICK
Ronnie Harrison and Hootie Jones are at safety, which also is where midyear enrollees Xavier McKinney and Daniel Wright are practicing.
Having Fitzpatrick’s versatility is a definite plus, Saban added.
“If somebody came through as a starting corner, he could play somewhere else,” Saban said. “If somebody came through as a really good safety, then you could feel comfortable leaving him at corner. It’s really unique to have a guy as smart as he is with the understanding of the game who can play all those positions.”
And having played all those positions, Fitzpatrick is wellversed on what each one entails.
“At corner, you’re more on your own,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about anyone else. At safety, you have to run the defense and talk to linebackers and the defensive line. You have to be more verbal.”
Tide tidbits
Touted early enrollee Dylan Moses continues to work at inside linebacker during the portion of practice open to the media. … Alabama’s first-team offensive line Thursday consisted of Jonah Williams at left tackle, Ross Pierschbacher at left guard, Bradley Bozeman at center, Lester Cotton at right guard and Matt Womack at right tackle.