Alabama freshman defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick has been special this season on a roster filled with special players.
Fitzpatrick arrived in Tuscaloosa this summer as a five-star talent out of New Jersey, and he didn’t take long to venture into the starting lineup. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has compiled 41 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks entering the New Year’s Eve showdown against Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, and he has two interception returns for touchdowns.
“It’s all been really humbling, because everybody here are five stars, but none of that really matters,” Fitzpatrick said. “Once you get here, you’ve just got to be willing to compete. There is always someone wanting to take your spot.
“When you’re at Alabama, you’re going up against the best players in the nation every single day at practice and every single Saturday.”
The Crimson Tide finished their on-campus workouts for the Cotton Bowl on Tuesday, practicing for 90 minutes in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts. Alabama players will have three days off before reconvening Saturday.