Dissecting Jordan Battle’s value to Alabama football’s defense

Alabama soccer security Jordan Battle didn’t have to remain for his senior season. 

He might have left after his junior 12 months. He had put collectively sufficient highlights to be a high-round 2022 NFL Draft choose.

ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller was discussing different prospects on the Senior Bowl in February with The Tuscaloosa Information. Then he introduced up Battle’s title, unprompted.

“Jordan Battle didn’t come out, and I actually favored him,” Miller stated. “That’s all the time the stunning stuff with (coach Nick) Saban. The opposite linebacker (Henry To’oTo’o) as properly and Jordan Battle return to highschool. Had they arrive out, we might have a pair extra Bama guys we’re raving about.”

As an alternative, Battle is again and it will likely be his third season as a starter. He has an opportunity not solely to enhance his draft inventory but in addition get his diploma in December and win a School Soccer Playoff championship.

“That’s simply one thing that goes with the Bama customary, coming to Bama,” Battle stated throughout spring apply. “That’s what’s instilled in you. You wish to win, and in case you don’t win, you’re nonetheless hungry. You’re hungry for extra. I believe that’s the principle factor of the choice to come back again for us individually.”

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Edge defender Will Anderson Jr. is often the primary member of the protection mentioned, and rightfully so. He may need received the Heisman Trophy had it been not a lot an offensive award this century. Anderson completed with 34.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks in 2021.

Battle also needs to be included in conversations about crucial items on the protection. Look no farther than his numbers.

He was fourth in tackles (84) and tied for first in interceptions (three), however extra particular statistics that Professional Soccer Focus tracks present simply how priceless Battle is to the protection.

Tackling

At security, Battle’s skill to be a dependable tackler was essential on the again finish of the protection.

Whether or not it’s making a deal with to cease a runner on the line of scrimmage or chasing somebody down within the open subject, Battle has been a priceless playmaker for defensive coordinator Pete Golding.

For instance, on second-and-17 within the third quarter of the Iron Bowl, Auburn’s Jarquez Hunter took a flat move and knifed by the protection. Battle chased him down and tackled him from behind as Hunter was sprinting towards the top zone.

Battle missed solely 8.5% of his deal with makes an attempt this previous season, per PFF. That ranked seventeenth amongst Alabama defenders, one of many lowest of any of the regulars within the beginning lineup.

Move protection

Positive, Battle’s three interceptions and two returned for touchdowns actually mirror properly on his playmaking skill. He had two towards Mississippi State and the well-known Air Raid offense. His different return for a TD was  within the SEC Championship Recreation towards Georgia. These, nonetheless, are just a few performs over his 964 snaps.

Battle was focused 33 occasions in 2021, permitting 19 receptions. That is an allowed catch-rate of 57.6%.

That ranked fourth lowest amongst Alabama gamers with at the least 100 snaps and was the very best amongst defenders who began the season.  

Right here’s yet another stat for Battle and it’s a superb signal for his probabilities within the NFL. The NFL passer score registered towards him was 57.6, per PFF.

Just one teammate had a decrease quantity: Jalyn Armour-Davis at 52.3.

Nick Kelly covers Alabama soccer and males’s basketball for The Tuscaloosa Information, a part of the USA TODAY Community. Attain him at nkelly@gannett.com or observe him on Twitter: @_NickKelly