Sign Up For A Premium Subscription
BONE: 10 recruiting thoughts | War on the recruiting front between Alabama and LSU
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Minkah Fitzpatrick’s sales pitch is simple.
The Alabama defensive back has proved he’s willing to play anywhere across the Crimson Tide’s secondary, bouncing from Star to safety to cornerback and most recently as the Money (sixth defensive back) in the dime package. He also serves on field goal block and kick return coverage.
All that is fine with Fitzpatrick. In fact, he wouldn’t mind one more additional role.
“I would love to get a shot at punt return,” Fitzpatrick said when asked about the possibility Monday.
While the junior isn’t about to force Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s hand, he does have a pitch ready if necessary.
“Just put me back there, coach,” Fitzpatrick said when asked what he’d tell his head coach. “That’s it. Trust me.”
Fitzpatrick is a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thorpe Awards. Through eight games, he has 35 tackles, five for a loss, with four pass deflections and an interception. He has also forced a fumble and blocked a field goal.
Arguably Alabama’s most important player, there is an argument to be had that putting Fitzpatrick at punt return would present too much of a risk in terms of injuries. After all, last year starting safety Eddie Jackson suffered a season-ending broken leg while returning a punt against Texas A&M.
Then there’s the other side of the argument. Alabama has struggled in punt return as of late. The Crimson Tide has used three returners in recent weeks, all of whom have had troubles holding onto the ball.
Against Tennessee, Xavian Marks muffed a punt before fumbling a ball after being hit from behind on a separate punt return. A week earlier, Henry Ruggs III and Trevon Diggs combined to muff three punts, giving up the ball once against Arkansas.
Alabama is tied for No. 66 in the nation averaging 7.33 yards per return. That stat becomes increasingly important considering the fact that the Crimson Tide is tied for second in the nation with three punt returns per game.
Saban addressed the topic during Alabama’s bye week last week, stating returning punts is something Fitzpatrick is “capable of doing.” The head coach also expressed confidence in his three other returners.
“We're going to evaluate that through the course of the week and sort of try to figure out who can do the best job there and certainly put that person in there to do it when we come to the next game,” Saban said last week.
Fitzpatrick returned kicks in high school but has yet to return a punt in his career at Alabama. However, that might change this week against LSU.
“I worked there every week just taking some reps,” Fitzpatrick said. “I don’t take a whole lot of reps, but last week I took even more reps than usual."
No. 1 Alabama (8-0, 5-0 in the SEC) will host No. 19 LSU (6-2, 3-1) on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be televised nationally on CBS.
