Alabama
What we saw from the new cornerbacks at Alabama football practice
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack had a simple demand.
“Strike through the man and punch through,” Wommack barked to the Alabama football defensive backs.
Wommack was running a tackling drill early in practice on Saturday. One player stands with his back to a red landing mat. Meanwhile, a defensive back launches into him, down onto the mat.
Not everyone struck the way Wommack sought. But he liked one rep from Zabien Brown.
Brown lowered his right shoulder and popped the player standing in front of the mat.
“Good,” Wommack responded. “Better with the strike.”
It’s one moment in a practice of many. And it was an individual drill, in which Brown was tackling a non-moving teammate. Still, it reflects well on Brown, a freshman who is one of the cornerbacks in competition for a starting job.
The media viewing periods during preseason camp aren’t long; none has lasted more than 30 minutes. And there’s no 11 vs. 11 or really any offense vs. defense. It’s mainly position work reporters see. Nonetheless, it’s an opportunity to see the Crimson Tide players practice.
AL.com spent Saturday mainly watching the cornerbacks during the viewing period. Here are some of the things we saw.
– There wasn’t a clear or consistent hierarchy or order going through drills. Some positions, it can be easy to spot. Cornerback, not so much. The order through each drill changed, but one that stood out: Domani Jackson, DaShawn Jones, Zavier Mincey, Brown, Jaylen Mbakwe then Jahlil Hurley. The next time through for a slightly different drill it was Jackson, Jones, Brown, Mincey, Mbakwe then Hurley. Then it was all shuffled up the next drill in which the cornerbacks put a blue band around their ankles and backpedaled. Don’t take these to be the depth chart; just a look at how the group worked in practice.
– Mincey is another freshman cornerback to watch besides Brown. He stands out on the field with noticeable length. Mincey is listed at 6-3, so he’s easy to spot quickly. Learning the finer points of the game will be key, but he would be an ideal defender to face a tall receiver. He might not be able to win the starting job out of camp, but he could help the defense at some point this season if he doesn’t. He’s got the measurables and talent to be a valuable defender, whether it be now or down the road.
Alabama defensive back Zavier Mincey (12) works with Alabama co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist, right, during Alabama’s spring football practice, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
– We didn’t see any real pass coverage drills during the media viewing period. Tackling and run defense mainly filled the time.
– Maurice Linguist, who coaches the cornerbacks, really liked how Jones ran one rep of a drill; In the drill, cornerbacks start off the line of scrimmage then run to wrap up a teammate holding a blocking shield. “There we go,” Linguist yelled while he clapped forcefully to show his approval of Jones’ technique.
– Linguist also praised Jackson several times through some of these run defense drills; Jackson figures to man one starting cornerback spot after his time at USC.
– Mbakwe, another five-star freshman, had some good moments in the drills but also a moment or two that left something to be desired from the coaches. You can see the potential, though. His development will be worth watching.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer forAL.comand the Alabama Media Group.Follow him on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.
Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.
“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.
Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.
“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”
The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.
The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.
Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston.
Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama. Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class.
The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn said that No. 4 Texas would be “hungry” against the No. 11Crimson Tide coming off its first series loss of the season to Texas A&M.
The Longhorns certainly were, as they pounced all over Vaughn’s team, striking out 17 Alabama batters en route to a 10-2 win.
“The story of the game was they just kind of kicked our tail in every phase tonight,” Vaughn said.
Alabama starter Tyler Fay had been elite over his past four starts, dating back to his complete-game no-hitter against Florida, allowing just six earned runs over the 26.0 innings pitched in those games. That changed instantly on Friday evening, as leadoff batter Aiden Robbins opened the game with a double and catcher Carson Tinney took him deep for a two-run blast moments later.
Texas added a third run in the first off an Ethan Mendoza RBI double, setting the tone for a dominant day. Alabama did not record a hit until the fourth inning as Longhorn ace Dylan Volantis tore through batters, striking out 12 over six innings.
Fay ended up going 5.1 innings, just the second time he did not make it through the sixth. The other, against Auburn, was only due to Vaughn wanting to keep his pitch count down in the wake of the no-hitter. He allowed season-highs of seven earned runs and 12 hits in the loss.
The Longhorns added a run each in the third and the fifth, before Alabama put the slightest amount of pressure on Texas in the top of the sixth. Bryce Fowler and Justin Lebron scored on the basepaths off an error and a wild pitch, respectively, to cut the Texas lead to three runs.
“You’ve got to find ways to score,” Vaughn said. “Those two guys just created two runs for us, and did a great job creating those runs and we crawl back in at 5-2, and it’s like, ‘Let’s go back to work…’ So thought we had that chance in those middle innings.”
The Longhorns effectively put the game to bed in the next frame, responding with three runs as Fay was relieved by Connor Lehman. Texas would add two more runs on the day, with the only silver lining coming in the fact that Alabama avoided a run-rule.
The Crimson Tide has now lost four straight SEC games after winning three consecutive series. Zane Adams takes the mound with the series on the line on Saturday, in a game that has been moved up to 12 p.m. CT due to anticipated rain in Austin.
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