Alabama Football Continues to Add Secondary Help with In-State Transfer Jaylen Key

Key, a former 3-star recruit and current UAB transfer, committed to Alabama over Florida State and Ole Miss.

Wyatt Fulton | May 12, 2023

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Alabama Crimson Tide

Earlier this week, the Alabama Crimson Tide added Louisiana cornerback Trey Amos to help bolster a thin secondary. It continued to add some much-needed secondary help on Friday, this time with the addition of UAB transfer Jaylen Key, who will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Key visited both Ole Miss and Florida State before making his final decision, but ultimately chose the Crimson Tide over SEC West rival and his hometown team. The safety listed at 6 foot 2, 210 pounds, attended Amos P. Godby High School in Tallahassee, Fla., where he initially held offers from UAB, UCF, Southern Miss, and South Alabama.

He enters a Crimson Tide secondary that was pretty thin following the departure of safeties Jordan Battle, Brian Branch, and DeMarcco Hellams, who were all selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, and defensive backs Jahquez Robinson and Trequon Fegans, who both entered the transfer portal during the spring window.

Key started for UAB in all 13 games last season, logging 60 total tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, a pass defended, and three interceptions for the Blazers in 2022. He could provide valuable snaps to a young and inexperienced Crimson Tide secondary.

Key enters a safety competition headlined by the arrival of true freshman Caleb Downs, who is already being projected by many to be a starter, perhaps alongside veteran Malachi Moore, a senior. Also in the mix playing time include senior Kristian Story, junior DeVonta Smith, redshirt freshman Antonio Kite, and redshirt freshman Earl Little II.

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