Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick: I came here to play cornerback

There was no meeting or conversation, just a 2 and a 9 listed at cornerback on the rep chart inside Alabama’s film room. For Minkah Fitzpatrick, that was a welcomed sight.

“That’s what I came here to play, cornerback,” Fitzpatrick said. “I did Star my freshman year because we had Marlon (Humphrey) and Cyrus (Jones) out there. Then last year Eddie (Jackson) went down so I had to move to safety. Now this year I’m back where I feel most comfortable, really. Coach trusts me to be out there and if I’m doing a good job out there I’ll stay there.”

Last year Fitzpatrick moved to strong safety for the final seven games after Eddie Jackson broke his leg during a punt return against Texas A&M. Following the injury, Fitzpatrick met with Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who told him he was giving him “a new challenge” by moving him to safety. That led to Fitzpatrick famously tweeting “Challenge accepted” from his Twitter account.

“It was pretty difficult, especially since it was in the middle of the season,” Fitzpatrick said of last season’s switch. “But Coach Saban, Coach (Derrick) Ansley and everybody else helped me out every single day. I was watching film with them, learning and making the calls in the film room. I kind of had no choice but to do it the right way, and to get it done. It was difficult, but it was good to have a little challenge.”

This year’s switch is still a challenge, just one that Fitzpatrick feels a little more comfortable with.

“At corner, it’s more like being on your own,” Fitzpatrick said. “You don’t have to worry about anybody else, you don’t have to make any calls. But at safety, you almost have to run the defense. You have to make calls, talk to the linebackers, the defensive line and talk to the corners and the star. You have to be more verbal and more of a leader out there. I did a little bit at Star, but did a whole lot more at safety.”

Fitzpatrick has practiced with the cornerbacks in both of the Tide’s practices so far this spring. During his news conference Tuesday, Saban addressed the switch, saying that Fitzpatrick’s versatility is a valuable asset to the secondary.

“It’s nice to have a guy like that if somebody came through as a starting corner he could play someplace else,” Saban said. “If somebody came through as a really good safety then you could feel comfortable leaving him at corner. It’s really unique to have a guy that’s as smart as he is and has a good understanding of the game that really can play all those positions.”

Last season Fitzpatrick led the team with six interceptions, including two which he returned for touchdowns. He also tallied 66 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and seven pass breakups.

While Fitzpatrick said all positions in the secondary offer the chance to make plays, the switch to cornerback should give him an opportunity to add to his interceptions tally this season.

“I’ll say more at star and corner than at safety,” Fitzpatrick said. Safety is more run support than it is getting to the ball, and more tackles rather than getting to the ball, but at corner and star you get more interceptions there.”

Given his versatility, there’s still a chance Fitzpatrick moves to another position depending on what Alabama’s needs. Crimson Tide receiver Calvin Ridley said he feels the defensive back is going to excel wherever he ends up. When asked what spot on the field Fitzpatrick was hardest to go up against, the receiver kept his answer simple.

“I think Minkah just period. He's a really good corner,” Ridley said. “He's physical all over at every position. He's really smart and that helps him a lot.”

As for Fitzpatrick, his plan is to continue to work wherever coaches want him. Right now that’s at corner, and that’s perfectly fine with him.

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