Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams was chosen Saturday with the No. 224 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Hellams is the third Tide safety drafted, joining Brian Branch (second round) and Jordan Battle (third round). They are among six Alabama defensive starters that have been drafted, with outside linebacker Will Anderson (first round), defensive lineman Byron Young (third round) and linebacker Henry To’o To’o (fifth round) also taken.

Overall, Hellams was the 10th player drafted for Alabama, which is tied as the second-most in school history behind the program record of 12 in 2018. Alabama also had 10 players chosen in seven-round drafts in 2017, 2019 and 2021, and 10 players in the 32-round draft in 1945.

Hellams started 28 games over the past two seasons for Alabama, including all 13 games this past season. He led all Alabama players in 2022 with 108 tackles, including three for a loss. He also had one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and seven pass break-ups.

The Washington, D.C. native was a four-star recruit in 2019, playing mostly on special teams as a freshman. He made three starts as a sophomore in 2020, including a Rose Bowl win over Notre Dame and national championship game victory over Ohio State. He continued as a starter in 2021, starting 12 games and appearing in three others as a reserve as he dealt with injury.

Hellams was invited to the Senior Bowl and NFL combine this winter.

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.