Alabama combines blue-collar defenders with blue-chippers

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Anthony Averett has gone from raw recruit to two-year starting cornerback for No. 1 Alabama. Levi Wallace and Jamey Mosely can top that: They began their Crimson Tide careers as walk-ons.

All three have started games this season for the Tide, blue collar defenders carving out roles alongside the blue-chippers on a defense replacing seven NFL draft picks.

It’s unclear who start against Colorado State on Saturday, but all of them are expected to contribute.

Linebacker Keith Holcombe said hard-working grinders are “the backbone of our team.”

“Those guys who aren’t going to get in trouble or anything like that,” Holcombe said. “They’re just going to put their head down and grind and do whatever they have to do to help the team win.”

Wallace and Mosley were among four first- time defensive starters against Fresno State, including Holcombe and more highly touted defen- sive lineman Raekwon Davis.

The senior Averett had his first career interception against Fresno State and is second on the team with 10 tackles. Saban saw speed, athleticism and potential in the 6-foot, 185-pound twoway player and high school track star, who played safety at Woodbury (New Jersey) High School.

Saban said it often takes longer for players to develop when they’re switching positions in college. The fact that they put in that kind of work and time can make them good role models for younger teammates.

“We think that you have to have some guys like Anthony Averett in the program who are willing to make the sacrifices to spend the time to develop so that they can become a really good player,” Saban said. “I think his example of that is something that other players should look at.”

Averett isn’t a newcomer to the top of the depth chart but he has been overshadowed by bigger names in the secondary, including 2017 first-round pick Marlon Humphrey and now potential first-rounders Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Harrison.