TideSports 2016 preview: Defensive backs

Returning starters: Marlon Humphrey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Eddie Jackson, Ronnie Harrison

Starters lost: Cyrus Jones, Geno Matias- Smith

Top candidates: Shyheim Carter, Hootie Jones, Tony Brown, Trevon Diggs, Deionte Thompson, Anthony Averett, Jared Mayden, Aaron Robinson

You need to know: No position group, with the exception of quarterback, got more August discussion than the secondary, thanks mainly to a transfer shuffle that saw three potential contributors leave the Crimson Tide prior to the opening of practice. None of the three were guaranteed starters and Alabama's top five or six defensive backs seem solid, but their departure does affect Alabama's depth and flexibility. (The old days of listing two cornerbacks and two safeties on a depth chart are passé as Alabama plays predominantly in sets that feature five or six defensive backs.) Combine that with Tony Brown's expected absence for the month of September and there's been a tremendous scramble for depth. So in reserve, there is talent, limited experience and lots of freshmen.

Outlook: The first unit is led by All-America safety Eddie Jackson and the corners, Marlon Humphrey and Minkah Fitzpatrick, who both made a tremendous impact as first-year starters a year ago. Ronnie Harrison came in strong at the end of the season and gives Alabama a core group as good as any in the SEC. Hootie Jones, whose off-season arrest issue seems to have been resolved, had a much-needed impressive August, while head coach Nick Saban has noted that Anthony Averett supplies the Crimson Tide with a solid third cornerback.

Newcomers to watch: You could take your pick with the abundance of freshmen looking to break into the rotation but the most intriguing may be Trevon Diggs, the son of former Minnesota Viking star Stefon Diggs. He has worked both ways for the Crimson Tide in August, playing wide receiver and safety, a testimonial to his maturity and athletic ability.

Key stat: The Crimson Tide had nine defensive backs in the NFL at the end of last season, more than any other college, according to an NFL roster database compiled by The Detroit News.

Quotable: "We are going to play freshmen back there. We feel good about some of them. They've got a long way to go, but we lost a lot of good players and some of those guys are certainly adding depth for us and we need them to be able to have roles." – Nick Saban