Marlon Humphrey

An Alabama legacy, former five-star recruit with track-star speed and standout performer in coverage, run support and special teams since earning a starting role as a redshirt freshman for a Crimson Tide squad that won the 2015-16 national title, Humphrey is about as celebrated as it gets among defensive backs. Though he has since emerged as one of the nation's elite cornerback prospects, Humphrey first earned attention for his exploits on the track, including winning the 110-meter hurdles (13.67) and the 400-meter hurdles (50.75) at the 2013 World Youth Track & Field Trials. Unlike many former track-stars suiting up for football, Humphrey shows impressive awareness and physicality - two traits absolutely required by Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who cut his teeth as a defensive backs coach. After sitting out his first season at Alabama as a redshirt (2014), Humphrey earned a starting role opposite Cyrus Jones, the 60th overall pick of the 2016 draft (New England). He was named to the Freshman All-SEC squad after recording 45 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss (-16 yards), three interceptions, two forced fumbles and eight pass breakups in his 15 starts. Humphrey was just as productive in his second starting campaign, teaming with true sophomore Minkah Fitzpatrick to give the Tide one of the elite cornerback duos in all of college football, recording 36 stops (including three for loss), two interceptions (one of which he returned for a touchdown) and a forced fumble.

in our view

Humphrey possesses the size and speed scouts are looking for on the outside and he appears to be just scratching the surface of his potential. His lack of ideal fluidity leaves him vulnerable to smaller, quicker receivers, however, and he has been complemented by a terrific pass rush over his career.

strengths

Boasts an exciting combination of size, straight-line speed and physicality for the position. Possesses a broad-shouldered well-built frame with long arms well-suited to press coverage. Shows balance and provides a pop with his initial jam, showing good extension and body control to harass receivers off the snap. Isn't reliant on the jam, showing enough flexibility and balance to open his hips, turn and accelerate down the sideline with even the speediest of receivers. Good awareness, including in zone coverage, where Humphrey shows a feel for routes developing behind him while keeping his eyes trained on the quarterback. Attacks would-be blockers on quick screens and in run support, showing the strength and determination to set the edge and force ball-carriers to adjust. Good size, timing and leaping ability to contest jump balls, with good hands for the interception. Tracks the ball well over his shoulder and can pluck outside of his frame. Durable player who has started every game of his college career, since redshirting. Experienced, passionate special teams defender, who is often the first down the field defending kickoffs and punts. Terrific bloodlines. Father, Bobby, was an All-American and first round pick (Denver, 1989) as a running back, leaving Alabama with 3,420 rushing yards over his career. His mother, Barbara (May) Humphrey set a still-standing record in the outdoor 400 meters at the University of Alabama-Birmingham with a time of 53.30 seconds.

compares to

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, New York Giants

weaknesses

Likely limited to perimeter cornerback play, not likely to slide inside in the nickel. Relatively high backpedal and a tight hip rotation, limiting his ability to change direction fluidly and truly mirror receivers' movements. Can get too focused on the receiver, losing track of the ball and failing to turn back towards it as it arrives. Can get a bit grabby downfield, extending his arm to limit receivers' movements.

humphries plays a more physical brand of football than the 6-foot-2, 193 pound rodgers-cromartie but offers a similar combination of size, straight-line speed and awareness in coverage as the nine-year pro and 2008 first round pick (arizona).

--Rob Rang (1/16/17)

An Alabama legacy (Bobby Humphrey) and a consensus five-star cornerback

first team All-USA by USA Today

Parade All-American

first team MaxPrep All-American

selected to participate in the 2014 Under Armour All-America Game

ranked the nation’s No. 1 cornerback by 247Sports and the No. 10 overall prospect in its Top247

the No. 3 cornerback and No. 12 player nationally in the 247Sports Composite while ranking as the No. 1 player in Alabama in both the Top247 and the Composite

No. 9 in the Rivals100, also the site’s No. 2 cornerback and No. 1 player in Alabama

rated 15th in the ESPN300 and fifth among cornerbacks

No. 2 in the state and seventh in the Southeast Region by ESPN

No. 30 in the Scout300 and ranked as the No. 4 cornerback

ranked 11th nationally in the PrepStar Top 300 and the fourth cornerback on that list

three-time member of the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s first team 6A All-State team, while starring for Hoover High School

member of the 2013 AL.com Super All-State team

No. 2 on the final AL.com 2014 A-List

played in the 2013 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game

registered 44 tackles with three interceptions and seven pass breakups as a senior

picked off four more passes as a junior in 2012 and broke up 15 more passes that season

totaled 33 tackles with six interceptions – three that he returned for touchdowns – and nine PBU as a sophomore in 2011

one of the top track athletes in the nation and the 2013 Birmingham News Metro Boys Track Athlete of the Year

top time of 6.89 seconds in the indoor 60-meter dash, a 7.80 best in the 60-meter hurdles and a 48.11 best in the 400-meter hurdles

has posted a 49.06 mark in the 400-meter dash and a 14.12 best in the 110-meter hurdles

won the 110-meter hurdles (13.67) and the 400-meter hurdles (50.75) at the 2013 World Youth Track & Field Trials

won seven Alabama state championship event titles across the indoor and outdoor track seasons in 2013

played for head coach Josh Niblett at Hoover, where the Bucs went 30-0 spanning his junior and senior seasons, winning back-to-back Alabama 6A State Championships

his father Bobby Humphrey was a first team All-America running back for the Crimson Tide in 1986 and 1987 and currently ranks second in career rushing yards at the Capstone with 3,420

the elder Humphrey was a first-round NFL draft selection in 1989, playing three seasons for the Denver Broncos (Super Bowl participant after the 1989 season; 1990 Pro Bowl selection) and then playing in 1992 with the Miami Dolphins

his mother Barbara (May) Humphrey set UAB’s still-standing record in the outdoor 400 meters (53.30)

chose Alabama over Florida State while also considering UCLA and Mississippi State.

2016

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
3.0	0.0	36.0	1.0	5.0	0.0	26.0

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
1.0	9.0	18.0	2.0

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	9.3	28.0	3.0