Alabama’s defense just got a little bit better after former UAB safety Jaylen Key announced his transfer destination. After releasing a top six schools on May 2, Key announced his decision to transfer to the Crimson Tide as an immediate impact transfer.
Jaylen Key Transfers to Alabama
Key made quite an impact in the transfer portal. He was a heavily sought after player after he joined the transfer portal on April 25. Just a week later, Key had multiple offers on the table but he announced a top six of some of the nation’s perennial leaders.
Key’s top six programs, in no particular order, were listed as such: Florida State, Alabama, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio State, and Ole Miss.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
In the end, it was the Crimson Tide that enticed Key enough to announce his decision to transfer.
Key broke out in 2022 after three seasons of spot play for the Blazers. He recorded 60 total tackles a season ago and brought down 4.5 tackles for loss.
Noticeably, he played his best against top-tier competition. Against LSU, he recorded 12 total tackles and was a force around the line of scrimmage.
His coverage prowess was also on display in 2022, recording three interceptions and another pass breakup. He’d float around well as a true free safety but really played his best football in the box, using his massive 6’2″, 210-pound frame to his advantage over smaller or slower targets.
Key, a Tallahassee native, was seen as a heavy lean to FSU once his name entered the portal, but in the end it was Alabama who received a big boost to their secondary with Key’s transfer.
Key Quick Facts
- Class: Redshirt senior
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 210
- Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
- Career total tackles: 74
- Career interceptions: 3
- Career pass breakups: 5
- Career tackles for loss: 3.5
