Lardarius Webb Jr. might be the first player in South Alabama football history who has roots both with the Jaguars and in the NFL.

Webb is the son of the former NFL defensive back of the same name, who played nine years and won a Super Bowl ring with the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2012 season. And he’s the younger cousin of La’Damian Webb, South Alabama’s leading rusher in both 2022 and 2023.

RELATED: Some observations at midway point of South Alabama spring practice

A redshirt junior, Webb joined the Jaguars this spring after spending last season at Oklahoma State. He’s working at both cornerback and safety and might have the inside track to start this fall at the “Husky” position, South Alabama’s name for its nickel defensive back spot.

“I feel like I’m supposed to be here,” Webb said. “I’m from Alabama; I’m from the ‘dirty’ South. The culture, my teammates, I feel like I fit right in. … This is the kind of defense I’ve been looking for, for a long time. This defense fits everything about me and it’s going to help me get to the next level.”

South Alabama must replace a three-year starter at Husky, as Yam Banks transferred after the 2023 season to Ole Miss. Veteran holdover Christopher Wallace and converted cornerback Brian Dillard have also seen time at the position this spring, though it was Webb who was first on the field for last Saturday’s scrimmage.

The Husky position in South Alabama’s 4-2-5 defense requires the skills of both a cornerback and a safety, that is, the ability to cover wide receivers one-on-one, but also to be capable in run support both as a tackler and in taking on blocks. Though he’s only 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Webb makes up for his lack of size with athleticism, enthusiasm and strong football instincts.

“He’s got great focus,” head coach Major Applewhite said. “He loves the game, he’s passionate about it.

He wants to make plays — great athlete, quick, good football instincts, good ball skills. … He’s just on fire out there. He’s electric. He’s talking, he communicates, he sees the game. He just needs reps and experience in our defense and I think he’s gonna do really well for us.”

That football would come naturally to Webb is no surprise given his bloodlines. Before playing in the NFL from 2009-17, Lardarius Webb Sr. was an all-state performer at Beauregard High School in 2003 and then an FCS All-American and finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year) at Nicholls State in 2008.

La’Damian Webb was Mr. Football at Beauregard as a junior in 2016, and an NJCAA All-American at Jones (Miss.) College before signing with South Alabama in 2022. He rushed for 2,074 yards and 29 touchdowns in two seasons with the Jaguars, becoming the program’s first two-time 1,000-yard rusher.

While realizing he has plenty to live up to, Lardarius Webb Jr. said he’s not feeling any particular stress over it.

“My dad has always pushed me to perfection because he knows what it takes to get to the NFL,” Webb said. “… But I don’t feel any pressure. I don’t have to prove nothing to nobody. I just need to prove it to myself, because I want it as bad as any other athlete.

“… (La’Damian) was always my big cousin, a guy I looked up to growing up. He said that this is a place for me that I can take my game to the next level and shine.”

Webb grew up in Opelika, but finished high school at Jackson (Miss.) Academy after his father retired from the NFL. He played two seasons at Jones, twice earning all-conference recognition and totaling 57 tackles, 15 pass breakups and nine interceptions in 19 games with the Bobcats.

With his cousin (and former Jones teammate) already on-board, South Alabama recruited Webb heavily following the 2022 season. However, he opted instead for a shot at power-conference football, signing with Oklahoma State.

Webb got into four games with the Cowboys in 2023, meaning he was able to take a redshirt year and maintain a season of eligibility. He watched from the sideline last Sept. 16 as Oklahoma State was routed on its home field by South Alabama, 33-7.

“What really jumped out to me was how they ran to the ball, the intensity they played with,” Webb said. “It was a Southern culture defense. The intensity, the fire, they came into a Power 5 (stadium) and they weren’t scared. From the first play, they came at us fast, pushing, talking. That’s why they came out on top.”

South Alabama will scrimmage for the second and final time this spring on Saturday. The annual spring game is set for April 20 at Hancock Whitney Stadium.