Alabama had a pair of strong outside cornerbacks last season in Marlon Humphrey and Anthony Averett, and a versatile nickelback (star) in Minkah Fitzpatrick. Tony Brown stepped up when Fitzpatrick moved to safety, too. With how much time the defense spends in its nickel package, the star position is a crucial one.
Humphrey is gone, to Baltimore and the NFL; but the cornerbacks should be strong against. Averett and Brown both return. Fitzpatrick does as well, though his primary spot should be at safety. The Tide also bring back a number of reserves from last year, plus one new guy.