When Nick Saban, a defensive backs guru as well as Alabama’s six-time national championship winning head coach, retired in January, the Crimson Tide’s DB room took a hit. Cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold both headed to the NFL, and freshman phenom safety Caleb Downs transferred to Ohio State.
Further down the roster, backup cornerback Trey Amos, who likely would have started for the Tide in 2024, moved within the SEC, landing at Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss. According to Rebel players speaking at SEC Media Days on Monday, he’s fitting in perfectly in Oxford.
“I feel like he’s gonna be the best DB in the country next year,” Rebel wide receiver Tre Harris said.
Harris has become extremely familiar with Amos’ game. Each day on the practice field, the two shake hands and compete against each other.
Their battles impressed teammates in other position groups.
“It turns you up,” defensive end Jared Ivey said. “They’re both making big plays… It’s just cool to see, to be around elite guys and just see elite plays being made at practice every day.”
Amos and Harris both hail from Louisiana. Before joining the Crimson Tide ahead of the 2023 season, Amos spent three years playing at Louisiana-Lafayette.
“It’s really iron sharpening iron,” Harris said of the practice matchups.
Harris played his high school football in Lafayette, before starting his college career at Louisiana Tech. He caught 54 passes for 985 yards last season for the Rebels.
Amos played at nearby New Iberia before starting his college career.
“It’s great to see a guy who’s from my hometown be able to have that much success,” Harris said. “And I’m super excited to see him play this year.”
Amos won’t be facing his old squad, as the Crimson Tide and Rebels won’t play in 2024 or 2025 due to the SEC’s new schedule model as the league adds Texas and Oklahoma. Alabama open the season Aug. 31 against Western Kentucky in Tuscaloosa, while Ole Miss takes on Furman in Oxford that same day.
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