This Alabama football star has taken strides this spring

Zabien Brown is a veteran in Alabama football's defensive backfield. The Crimson Tide junior is heading into his third spring, one that has brought "more energy" and more detail in the first five practices. Much of Alabama 's defensive backfield seems secured with Brown's return alongside sophomore Dijon Lee Jr.

, Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard roaming the backfield at safety with Red Morgan in the nickel slot. When Brown was asked about the one Alabama defensive back who has made the most progress this spring, he doubled-down on a player that already holds ample expectations for the fall. "I think Dijon Lee has really stepped forward," Brown said.

"I've seen his game really develop and is really started to produce a lot more. " As a freshman, Lee emerged as a starter, taking first-team reps from senior Domani Jackson and accumulating 34 tackles, 4. 5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and five pass deflections.

Lee, with his 6-foot-4, 204-pound frame, is locked into a starting spot even with the addition of fellow 6-foot-4 cornerback Carmelo O'Neal and five-star freshman Jorden Edmonds. Alabama will wrap up its spring practice schedule Saturday, April 11 with its annual A-Day spring game. Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network.