Alabama Cornerback Zabien Brown More Comfortable as He Gets More Reps

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - On Monday, Alabama defensive lineman Tim Keenan III and linebacker Deontae Lawson spoke highly of sophomore cornerback Zabien Brown, as Brown has blossomed into a shutdown cornerback for the Crimson Tide in his second season in Tuscaloosa.

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Brown, a 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back from Santa Ana, California, has logged 28 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and a pick-six for the Crimson Tide this season. Brown credited Keenan and Lawson for helping him grow into the player he is in his second season in Tuscaloosa.

"It's been a blessing to have those older guys to put us under their wing," Brown said on Tuesday. "To shed their light, their knowledge on us, it helps the whole team, helps me a lot, and I'm really grateful to play with those guys."

Every freshman takes their lumps when they first see the field, but the flashes were there for Brown in 2024, with a game-sealing interception on Georgia's Carson Beck to help the Crimson Tide secure a top-five upset of the Bulldogs, leading to a brief No. 1 ranking during 2024. Now, in 2025, he has again helped Alabama, with his momentum-changing pick-six against Tennessee, helping Alabama claim its fourth ranked win of the season with the victory over the Volunteers, and other critical plays the Alabama defense has made down the stretch.

His development has been a reliable tool for Alabama to lean on, and Brown said the comfort level comes with more reps, which he's gotten since his first A-Day on campus, lining up against Germie Bernard in April 2024.

"It comes with reps, being comfortable on the field, being able to diagnose plays," he said. "Study a little different, practice a little different, that's just what helps me.

"I feel like the more reps I take, it just allows me to play with more control; allows me to play more on the front end, more anticipating stuff, less reacting to stuff."

Brown and the rest of the Alabama secondary will face a tough test in the SEC Championship, going against a Georgia receiving corps that Brown called a 'strong' unit.

"They're strong receivers. I mean, they run their routes well, they fit into their system, and move the ball well. Just overall, fundamentally sound."

Alabama will face Georgia in the SEC Championship on Saturday, December 6, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Our coverage of the SEC Championship is brought to you by Pearl River Resort and the Sportsbook at Golden Moon Casino.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.