Alabama Finds Stability in Portal With DB DaShawn Jones

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The Alabama Crimson Tide, a team known for winning, is showcasing that same resolve during the off-season. The Crimson Tide have signed former Wake Forest defensive back DaShawn Jones, adding well-needed experience to an extremely green secondary.

Jones is the most recent portal commit for the Crimson Tide and marks the 14th commit to make Tuscaloosa his new home. Jones comes in with an impressive array of help in the secondary as Alabama has been active in the portal, signing safety Keon Sabb (Michigan) and cornerback Domani Jackson (USC).

Who Is DaShawn Jones?

Jones is a proud Baltimore native and attended Mount Saint Joseph High School. The 2021 recruit ended his senior year of high school as a top-40 defensive back in Maryland and was ranked a consensus three-star recruit by recruiting sites. Jones originally committed to Wake Forest, choosing the Demon Deacons over several other FBS programs with Villanova and Kansas being the most notable.

Once settled in Winston-Salem, N.C., Jones found success with the Demon Deacons during the 2021-22 season earning a starting position and contributing 23 tackles and 5 passes defended. During his 2023 campaign Jones emerged as the top defensive back for Wake Forest and led the team with 3 interceptions.

Scouting DaShawn Jones

Jones is a solid cornerback who covers well in open space. His strengths are his big field vision and fluid transitions. Jones often plays loose zone coverage, capping wide receivers’ routes with leverage and depth while playing downhill quickly to underneath routes. A willing tackler with above-average reaction speed from the cornerback position will make scheming Jones’ side of the ball quite the conundrum.

Jones will have to improve on his man coverage and man coverage principles. Wake Forest was a primary zone coverage team and historically Alabama runs much more man coverage concepts.

Impact on Alabama

Jones brings much-needed experience and stability to a secondary riddled with underclassmen. The Crimson Tide currently have two upperclassmen in the secondary with Jones slated as the third. Jones must use his game experience and leadership talents to help shape an entirely new secondary unit into a formidable opponent in the Southeastern Conference. The Crimson Tide finished last season as a top-25 defense overall and 26th in passing defense according to teamrankings.com. 

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Those rankings, although good, need to improve if Jones and the Crimson Tide expect to compete for a national championship.

How Soon Will Jones Contribute?

Immediately. Jones walks into Tuscaloosa as a day-one starter for coach Kalen DeBoer and company. The second most experienced defensive back behind safety Malachi Moore, Jones will be called upon to cover many of the top wide receivers Alabama will face. Jones’ impact in the secondary will be vital in his first season, giving their young secondary time to gain experience.

The Crimson Tide have plans to find themselves in the thick of the College Football Playoffs. They are on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal making major moves to stay atop the SEC. DeBoer has big shoes to fill this season. Signees like Jones help make that shoe a bit more snug.