Wake Forest transfer finds home he ‘loves’ in Alabama football’s secondary

DaShawn Jones feels right at home in Alabama football’s secondary at a position he has gravitated towards.

Jones transferred to Alabama from Wake Forest before the 2024 season after starting in nine games in 2023 for the Demon Deacons. He was an immediate contributor for the Crimson Tide last season, playing in all 13 games. The former ACC defender finished the 2024 season with 23 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. He earned his first start against Michigan at the Husky position, a position he fell in love with.

“I love it, actually,” Jones said. “Before at Wake Forest, I really wasn’t playing it that much, but when I came here, I automatically gravitated towards the position. So me doing that transition, I definitely fell in love with the position.”

The Husky position is essentially a hybrid-safety role in Kane Wommack’s defensive scheme. It is often referred to as the nickel corner position. Wommack describes the position as a very versatile one.

“That is a very versatile position,” Wommack said. “It’s similar to the wolf and all the things that we ask that position to do, and yet at the same time very different. That guy’s got to be able to fit the runs. He’s got to be able to play man. He’s got to be able to play zone coverage and blitz off the edge and all that stuff. Consistent execution is critical. That player can really eliminate part of the field if they do their job in terms of perimeter blocking and teams that try to throw perimeter screens out there if you got a husky, they can they can take the field space away.”

Jones feels his skill set is a good fit for the spot within Alabama’s secondary, but he is also confident in his ability to play all over the field.

“I bring a lot of dynamics to the scheme,” Jones said. “I am a very versatile defensive back. I can play outside corner or I could play inside at Husky. I feel like I’m a dynamic type of player, and I can make players all around the board.”

The Alabama secondary could be a major strength in 2025, and Jones looks to be on pace to be a key contributor.