Cornerback Jahlil Hurley Adopting Leadership Role During Alabama Spring Practice

After a number of names left the DB room in the wake of Nick Saban's retirement, Jahlil Hurley is stepping up as a leader.

Mar 21, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Defensive back Jahlil Hurley snags a pass during practice at the University Alabama Thursday. / © Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — There aren't many names in the 2024 Alabama DB room that were around for Nick Saban's final year in 2023.

A flurry of names entered the transfer portal following the news of Saban's retirement, some older veterans such as Trey Amos and Kristian Story, but others were young pieces in the room with a chance to take the reigns, such as Caleb Downs, Dezz Ricks, Antonio Kite and Earl Little.

But Jahlil Hurley, a freshman defensive back in 2023, chose to stick around even after not seeing a single live snap during a game all season.

“I learned that practice is your preparation for the game. It’s all about the mental toughness. Play for the man next to you, finish past the line, not even through the line. It’s the smallest details. Just make sure you have your teammate’s back, for sure.”

As a result, Hurley is one of the longest-tenured Alabama players in the DB room for the upcoming season, only trailing Malachi Moore and DeVonta Smith.

“It’s hard, for real. Because there’s, like, nobody else here. I’m older, so I know Saban’s way," Hurley said. "So I try to keep it here. Fourth Quarter, when we did that, I try to not put my hands on my hips, stuff like that. Keeping the young guys right, trying to keep them mentally stronger."

Alabama's defensive back room is full of 'young guys,' as Hurley put it. The Crimson Tide has six freshman defensive backs that entered the program from its 2024 recruiting class, and even some of the older players are in their first year in Tuscaloosa, such as USC transfer Domani Jackson and Michigan transfer Keon Sabb.

“I’m not the oldest, but I’m one of the ones who have been here the longest," Hurley said.

When asked if having been at Alabama for longer has elevated him into more of a leadership role, Hurley was decisive.

"Yes, sir."

Hurley said both his ties to the state as well as his teammates that chose to stay played huge factors in him still being in Tuscaloosa, now having the chance to elevate his role this spring.

"I'm a 'Bama kid, of course," Hurley said. "And then the teammates that didn't leave. Like Malachi, Smitty, Milroe, they could've left. They had every right to, but they didn't, so why would I leave?"