Defensive back was the Alabama football position group most in need of new bodies. With six 2017 defensive backs exiting, the Tide returns only three secondary players with any significant playing time. Deointe Thompson, Trevon Diggs and Shyheim Carter are the returning players most likely to start in 2018. That leaves two to three secondary slots to be filled by new players.
Eddie Smith was only ranked as the No. 42 cornerback by the 247Sports Composite. Yet the 3-Star recruit received 15 offers (out of his total of 25) from Power Five schools. It was believed Mississippi State and Tennessee were the biggest threat to Smith not signing with Alabama football.