Zabien Brown Growing into the Next Great Alabama Cornerback

The legacy of defensive backs at the University of Alabama is deep, with Alabama consistently putting top-tier defensive backs into the NFL. That legacy grew quickly under former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, with Saban putting stars such as Minkah Fitzpatrick, Patrick Surtain II, Xavier McKinney, Brian Branch, among others, into the NFL. Almost every week, a former Alabama defensive back is making key plays in the NFL.

Get our free mobile app

That legacy was expected to take a dip when Saban announced his retirement in January 2024, but instead, it's continued to thrive, with the Crimson Tide's secondary playing as one of the best and most cohesive units in college football this season.

Alabama has another lockdown cornerback in the secondary, something the Crimson Tide has become accustomed to, especially with Zabien Brown roaming the Crimson Tide's secondary. Alabama's key leaders on defense, Deontae Lawson and Tim Keenan III, have watched the growth of Brown ever since he stepped foot on campus as an early enrollee with the Crimson Tide before the 2024 season.

"Man, Zabien, ever since he first stepped on campus, he always been a pro in the way he went about his business," Linebacker Deontae Lawson said during Monday's SEC Championship teleconference. "Not really the loudest in the room, but will definitely say something when he needs to this year.

"Yeah, his play is just on the rise. He's definitely trending in the right direction. It's great to have him out there on the edge. I know he'll just continue to get better."

During his sophomore campaign with the Crimson Tide, Brown has totaled 28 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one pick-six.

"He's never satisfied. He's always working," defensive lineman Tim Keenan III said on Monday. "He might not be the loudest guy, but he's loud with his work. He's consistent. He's a sponge; he soaks up everything.

"As long as he keeps going 1-0, keeps putting in the work, he'll keep being successful."

Brown was named a Freshman All-SEC in 2024 for his play, which included a game-sealing interception for the Crimson Tide to topple the second-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Brown totaled 18 tackles, three interceptions, two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and two pass breakups as a freshman in 2024.

Brown sports the number two for Alabama, which has been worn by numerous outstanding players for the Crimson Tide, especially in the secondary, with Patrick Surtain II and Caleb Downs sporting the number before Brown.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.