Mastering the process, Fitzpatrick becomes star at Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — On those scorching hot late summer days when football practice is harder than usual at Alabama, a kid from New Jersey is usually the player least bothered.
If Minkah Fitzpatrick has learned anything in his young life it is that complaining about a difficult situation accomplishes nothing.
“You just can’t let the environment affect you,” Fitzpatrick said. “You have to try to affect the environment.”
The All-America defensive back has been affecting the environment plenty for the top-ranked Crimson Tide since coming to Tuscaloosa three years ago from the central New Jersey town of Old Bridge. Goal-oriented since he was 6 and matured beyond his years by flooding that left his family homeless as he started high school, Fitzpatrick has mastered Nick Saban’s process. Fitzpatrick sees the game like a coach — like HIS coach — leads by example and has become maybe the most versatile defensive player to ever play for Saban’s Alabama dynasty.
“We have six different positions in the secondary and he’s played every one of them,” Saban said. “I don’t ever remember having anybody that’s played all the roles he’s played here and done it as well as he’s done it.”
Fitzpatrick can play either cornerback or safety spot or star, a hybrid position that can have Fitzpatrick covering slot receivers, filling gaps like a linebacker or rushing like a defensive end.
Last season, Fitzpatrick had six interceptions and two more touchdowns. So far this season, Fitzpatrick has yet to cause a turnover, but make no mistake: He is still the most important player on the Tide’s dominant defense, which is coming off a shutout against Vanderbilt and preparing for a Mississippi team that has scored 109 points in the last three games against Alabama.
He is also well on his way to accomplishing another of his goals: first-round NFL draft pick.