› Shyheim Carter willing to play wherever in Alabama secondary
Shyheim Carter has been working at various positions this month in Alabama’s secondary, just like Minkah Fitzpatrick the past three years for the Crimson Tide.
That’s where the comparisons should end, per Carter’s request.
“I really learned a lot from Minkah,” Carter said this week in a news conference. “He was a great player, but I’m trying to do my own thing and trying to be myself.”
Carter, a 6-foot, 195-pound junior from Kentwood, Louisiana, is helping fill the void of Alabama’s biggest personnel drain from a year ago. Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide are without six defensive backs from last season, including five who were drafted by NFL teams.
Fitzpatrick headed the list of departures, getting selected by the Miami Dolphins in April with the 11th overall pick.
Because he played in all 14 games last season, Carter is practically a veteran defensive back by default. He made seven tackles a year ago, mostly on special teams, and broke up a pass in the win at Texas A&M.
“We’re obviously young, but we come out focused every day,” Carter said. “Playing under Coach Saban, you don’t have a lot to worry about if you follow your assignments.”
The Crimson Tide held a fullpads practice Wednesday afternoon, which followed the opening day of classes.
Joining Carter with returning experience in Alabama’s secondary are Trevon Diggs, Jared Mayden, Xavier McKinney, Deionte Thompson and Daniel Wright, with former LSU signee Saivion Smith and five-star freshman cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. expected to have prominent roles as well. Saban said last week that Diggs and McKinney have been the most consistent among the defensive backs.
Everybody in the secondary has practiced in multiple roles, which could continue right through the Sept. 1 opener against Louisville at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
“Shyheim is a guy who is really bright and knows the system really well,” Saban said. “He can make a contribution at the ‘star” or the ‘money’ (positions). He has played some corner for us in the past. He’s kind of a jack-of-all-trades right now.”
Said Carter: “It’s whatever is best for the team, so I’m not worried where I’ll be playing. It doesn’t really matter. I’m blessed to know multiple positions, but it’s not easy learning them.”
Louisville receiver Dez Fitzpatrick spoke out earlier this month about how Cardinals receivers would have their way in one-on-one matchups against the Crimson Tide defensive backs. Carter declined to respond to Fitzpatrick’s comments, instead praising Alabama’s deep and talented receivers he challenges every day in practice.
“We have the best receivers that we’re going to face,” Carter said.