Alabama freshman CB will “have a tremendous career,” according to WR Germie Bernard – touchdown Alabama.

Gary Cosby Jr. – USA Today Sports

Kalen DeBoer and the staff he hired at the University of Alabama had the responsibility of keeping the 2024 recruiting class together after Nick Saban retired from coaching in January.

Several players in this class were talented cornerbacks, including two five-stars.

Zabien Brown, a California native, arrived on campus as a freshman at Mater Dei High School.

He weighed 180 pounds on a 6-foot frame but gained up to 196 pounds by the start of his freshman year at Alabama. Brown developed tremendously over the course of the season in 12 games as a starter.

What did we learn about Alabama after its fifth straight Iron Bowl win?

He has 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two interceptions and a fumble return for a 66-yard touchdown.

Brown started Alabama’s conference schedule with a game-winning interception against Georgia at Saban Field in Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28. His performance gave Kalen DeBoer his first victory over Kirby Smart in a pageant match.

Brown returned in the Iron Bowl and ensured Auburn did not secure a bowl berth by defeating Payton Thorne.

His development as a lockdown defender is only getting sharper. Maurice Linguist, Alabama’s cornerbacks coach, has done an excellent job preparing Brown and putting him in situations where he can be successful. He trusts his technique, plays with great eye discipline and leverage, and makes plays on the ball. The Crimson Tide may lose Domani Jackson to the NFL Draft after the season, but they have something special in Brown for years to come. Germie Bernard, a wide receiver for the Tide, sees it.

“This kid is a great player,” Bernard said of Brown after the game. “He’s a freshman but he doesn’t play like that. He continues to work every week. He comes into the building with the right attitude and tries to make everyone around him better. He’s embracing coaching and I know he’s going to have a great career at Alabama.”

Alabama players make their case for why the Crimson Tide should make the College Football Playoff

Alabama had some elite defenders who began to dominate as freshmen. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Patrick Surtain II, Malachi Moore, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Brian Branch are the first five names that come to mind.

Brown has All-American and Jim Thorpe talent in him.

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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Landing Alabama Magazine. You can “like” it. Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter via @CoachingMSmith.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has been covering Alabama football for 15 years, and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide program has made him one of the most respected journalists in his field. Smith has been featured as an analyst on ESPN and several other major networks.