TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — As Nick Saban tinkered with different lineups and player combinations during spring practice, it seemed like no two days were the same.
But there was one constant.
Off to the side, there was Cyrus Jones, pedaling away on an exercise bike, chatting with fellow senior Denzel Devall while strength coach Scott Cochran barked on.
Jones spent the spring on the sidelines recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn hip labrum. While there were no indications of any sort of complications or setbacks in the recovery, Saban delivered some welcome news on Tuesday.
Jones, along with Devall, has been “fully cleared medically,” Saban told reporters on a conference call.
“We didn’t feel like we needed to push them into the spring and maybe cause issues and problems for them in the future,” he said. “So we think both those players will be ready to go through the summer conditioning program.”
Especially in Jones’ case, the news clears the way for him to fully assume his role as one of the senior leaders on the Crimson Tide defense, both on and off the field. After a surprise breakout year last season, he’ll be saddled with more responsibility in 2015, and there’s every indication he will thrive on it.
Last year, Jones went from a risky position change to a steady hand in the span of a few games. He started all 14 games last season at cornerback, eventually earning second-team All-SEC honors.
Jones’ transition is even more impressive considering his size. He stands just 5’10” but consistently matched up with massive SEC receivers such as Mississippi State’s De’Runnya Wilson.
“Right when I made the transition my sophomore year, I was trying to feel my way around, like I was playing unconfident, still not sure what I was supposed to be doing as far as the defense goes. It definitely hindered me as far as being able to just go out there and play fast and with confidence,” Jones said during the spring.
“If you don’t have confidence playing corner, you just can’t do it. It’s impossible. Now I know what I can do, and I know my abilities, and I know the defense. Now it’s just up to me to just go out there and play and prove everyone wrong who has something bad to say about it.”
And off the field, he’s been a model of what Saban looks for in his players. He even won the Media Good Guy award for giving thoughtful answers in interviews.
Jones was involved in a domestic violence arrest two weeks ago, but police ended up dropping the charges after they found he “attempted to deescalate the situation,” which included calling the police himself.
But during the spring, Jones wasn’t able to be as involved on the field. Now he can.
His presence will be important for a lot of reasons.
Jones is Alabama’s unquestioned No. 1 corner, but behind him will be a lot of inexperience.
Eddie Jackson’s move to safety means sophomore Tony Brown will likely be the one playing next to Jones, at least at the beginning of the season. Behind Brown, Marlon Humphrey, Anthony Averett and Bradley Sylve make up a group that has talent but lacks either experience or consistent play.
Jones’ presence in that group should help the players come along as well as give them a rock to lean on while they take their lumps. Brown did some of that last year but will have a much bigger role this year.
Alabama’s secondary took a lot of heat last year for being a weakness on the team, giving up plenty of big plays at inopportune times.
Now that he’s fully healthy and full speed ahead, Jones will be one of the key forces in making sure that’s not the case next season.
“I’m a guy who is super, super competitive. I take a lot of pride in my play,” he said. “I know criticism is something you have to let go in one ear and out the other, but it’s hard when you’re constantly hearing the same things, whether it’s personally or with your group—my group being the secondary.
“It’s definitely something the secondary takes personally. We have a point to prove. … And I know when I come back, I’m going to be ready to prove all the doubters wrong. It’s definitely personal to me.”
Marc Torrence is the Alabama lead writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes and reporting were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Follow on Twitter @marctorrence.
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