TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A smile swept over Trevon Diggs’ face as he talked to reporters Tuesday.
“It’s good to be back,” the Alabama defensive back said while situating himself in his chair.
Diggs wasn’t necessarily celebrating being in Naylor Stone Media Suite two hours before practice but rather what it represents — his return as one of the leaders of Alabama’s defense.
The last time Diggs spoke to the media was during the midst of his breakout junior season. He had just finished his fifth game, was leading the team with six pass deflections and was fresh off his first career interception against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Five days later, his promising year came crashing to a halt. During the Week 6 game against Arkansas, Diggs planted his foot wrong on the artificial turf surface at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The unfortunate slip resulted in a broken foot that kept him out for the remainder of the season. Six months later, he is finally feeling 100 percent.
“When I got back out there, I was kinda rusty, kinda timid but once I started going, it started to ease up,” Diggs said. “It’s good to be back. It was a humbling experience.
“You know, just coming off an injury and coming back and having not played in six months, it just felt different for a little bit. But now, I just feel back to my normal self.”
You could even argue he’s improved. The time on the sideline provided a different vantage point for the defensive back as he was able to soak in games on a more analytical level.
“I got to see how I can coach and help other people and help myself as well,” Diggs said. “There are more aspects to the game than just playing and doing it.”
Heading into his senior year, Diggs said that experience should make him a better leader.
“I like how the younger guys asked me questions and stuff like that,” he said. “They can follow me so it’s like when I was in their position, I was asking (older players) the questions and he was trying to make me better. So, it just feels like I’m getting old.”
This spring Diggs has moved from outside corner to Star to take the place of injured Shyheim Carter when Alabama works out of its nickel package. Listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Diggs has the size needed to play inside and even featured some at Star last season.
“You’re more in the action every play,” Diggs said of his new position. “You’re running off blitzes. You’re covering the fast guys when you’re in the slot. You have to make calls, make adjustments. You’re running across the field. There’s a lot you have to learn, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a fun position.”
In fact, Diggs, a converted wide receiver, said he feels comfortable playing every position across the secondary and even stated he wouldn’t mind learning safety if needed. That versatility should be an asset for the defense down the road.
Once Carter returns to full contact, Alabama will have a decision to make. One option would be to keep Diggs at Star and move Carter to safety alongside Xavier McKinney. That would open up a spot for promising sophomore Josh Jobe to break into the starting defense at outside corner opposite of Patrick Surtain II.
Another option would be to keep Carter at Star and line up senior Jared Mayden alongside McKinney. In that scenario, Diggs would return outside to play opposite of Surtain. That would allow Alabama to put out a more experienced unit with three seniors — Diggs, Carter and Mayden — on the field.
Regardless of where he’s situated come the fall, Diggs said his time at Star has been beneficial.
“It helps you a lot because when you’re on the outside and a team does a slot formation in regular, you’re going to have to travel and you’re going to have to play slot anyway,” Diggs said. “So me picking up on those little keys and little tricks and gimmicks in the slot, it helps me a lot. It helps me on the inside. It helps me on the outside. And you sort of learn where you’re at on the field and receiver location, so you expect their routes more.”
Alabama returns to the practice field one more time Thursday before wrapping up spring camp with its annual A-Day game Saturday at 1 p.m. CT inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. After six months on the sidelines, that’s a moment Diggs has been anxiously waiting.
“I also learned that you couldn’t take anything for granted,” Diggs said. “Make the most of all your opportunities. Every opportunity you get, you can’t take it for granted.”
