Jordan Battle details increased confidence as veteran starter

Jordan Battle has gained immense confidence over his time at Alabama, growing from a wide-eyed recruit to one of the top defensive backs in the nation.

Now, it’s Battle’s time to lead after watching some Crimson Tide greats do it before him. Speaking with the media, the Alabama defensive back elaborated on his increased leadership abilities, and why his confidence has improved by leaps and bounds.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“I have a tremendous confidence in the defense, of course. I’ve been here for three years, under guys like Pat [Surtain], Xavier McKinney. Jared Mayden, Shyheim Carter. Just learning from them guys, and being able to instill what they had in them in me. Just being able to grow as that leader for this team. I really thank them for that,” stated Battle. “I feel like I’ve grown leadership wise, grown on the field, grown in learning how to study film. Just growing with little things like that.

“I thank those guys. I thank Coach Saban, and I thank Coach [Karl] Scott, who was here before. Coach [Jay] Valai, Coach T-Rob (Travaris Robinson), who’s here right now. Coach [Charles] Kelly, as well. I thank those guys for evolving me as a player, and helping me grow.”

As you can see, it was a group effort to get Jordan Battle where he needed to be at Alabama, and the Crimson Tide defensive back never forgets who helped him along the way.

Jordan Battle discusses progress from Kobe Prentice, Traeshon Holden

Moreover, Battle recently spoke about two Crimson Tide’s receivers that will be key players in their offense this season, Kobe Prentice and Traeshon Holden.

“Kobe’s a very funny guy, very cool guy, very humble. He’s very fast, he has good routes, he’s playing very well with the first group. You can see he’s very confident as well being a young guy, being a freshman, he kind of reminds me of a guy like JoJo [Earle]. JoJo was very confident when he got here, so he’s a very good guy for us and he can make big plays in any game for us,” Battle said.

Prentice had an impressive fall camp, turning heads in each of the team’s scrimmages. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound freshman from Calera, Alabama impressed enough to secure himself a spot in the team’s starting lineup heading into week one. Prentice will be Alabama’s starting slot receiver with UGA transfer Jermaine Burton and Holden starting on the outside.

Battle also spoke on Holden, and how he’s evolved as a player and a leader this offseason.

“Traeshon is kind of stepping into that leadership role as well, you know he’s probably one of the oldest guys in the group. He’s been here the longest, he’s playing very well, you can see from last year he progressed and know he’s been more better. And he’s understanding the concept within the offense and you can see that as well, he’s playing very well within the scheme,” Battle said.

Holden was the team’s sixth-leading receiver last year with 21 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown, but tight end Cameron Latu is the only remaining pass catcher on the roster from last year that had more catches than him. Holden, a junior, waited his turn and sat behind NFL receiver talent, and is now primed for a breakout year as one of Alabama’s primary target’s out wide this upcoming season.