Alabama Senior DB Entering NFL Draft

Alabama is losing yet another starter from the 2023 team. Safety Jaylen Key has officially declared for the 2024 NFL draft.

Key was out of eligibility after transferring as a graduate to the University of Alabama prior to the 2023 season.

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Key spent the first five years of his college football career just an hour away from Tuscaloosa. Originally from Quincy, Florida, Key committed to the UAB Blazers out of high school.

Key would spend five seasons with the Blazers. He redshirted in 2018, granting him a fifth year of eligibility. Key then earned a sixth year of eligibility with the extra year granted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

While at UAB, Key played in 43 games and had 74 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and one sack. Key also contributed two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, five pass breakups, and three interceptions during his time with the Blazers.

Alabama's secondary is losing three starters with Key, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Terrion Arnold all heading for the NFL draft. The secondary won't be completely devoid of experience, however. Trey Amos, an expected starter in 2024, played three seasons at Louisiana before transferring to Alabama.

Caleb Downs is a talented freshman who just finished his freshman season of college football by leading the Crimson Tide in tackles with 100. Arguably the biggest piece returning to the Crimson Tide in terms of experience is senior Malachi Moore.

Moore has a final year of eligibility thanks once again to the COVID-19 pandemic. for the second straight season, Alabama will have a COVID-19-eligible DB commanding its secondary. It is presumed Alabama will leave Malachi at star, the position he has manned since his freshman season, but there is speculation Moroe could become a safety for the Crimson Tide.