Transfer Safety Jaylen Key Shares Why He Chose Alabama

After spending four seasons at UAB, Key is using his final year of eligibility as a starter on the Crimson Tide defense, hoping to make his way to the NFL.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Jaylen Key spent four seasons playing at UAB before transferring to Alabama for his fifth and final season of eligibility over the summer. (He redshirted his first year at UAB in 2018.)

Key was inserted into the Crimson Tide starting lineup at safety right away, and made an impact in his first game with an interception against Middle Tennessee. 

The graduate safety spoke to the Alabama media for the first time in a press conference setting Tuesday afternoon and shared why he chose to spend his final season with the Crimson Tide. 

"For me, it was just about preparing for the next level," Key said. "And finding the best place for me to do that as far as coming somewhere where the staff, the whole building just really accepts you. Really helps you come in and make it as comfortable as possible... The people here are next to none."

When he decided to enter the portal, Key said current UAB coach Trent Dilfer understood his decision and was willing to offer help in the transfer process. 

Key said the transition to the speed of Alabama and the SEC hasn't been too different, but it's more the challenge of the caliber of opponent you're facing week after week. 

What did he not realize about Alabama football until he actually got here?

"How much it means to play here," Key said. "That's one of the biggest things I would say coming from UAB to here. You don't really understand. You see it on the media, or you might see it on social media. You see it on the news or whatever, but you don't really understand how much it means to play here until you actually put the jersey on and run out of Bryant-Denny Stadium."

This season, Key is tied for fourth on the team with 31 tackles and has the one interception. He has been a consistent presence on the back end of an Alabama defense that is third in the SEC in interceptions. 

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