Alabama football played a variety of freshmen in the season opener against Western Kentucky, particularly on defense.

But only one freshman defender got the start: cornerback Zabien Brown.

That was the case in the spring game, but it wasn’t a given for the fall. Not with more competition, including Wake Forest transfer DaShawn Jones. But when the depth chart was released, Brown was atop it at one cornerback spot. That held true for the game as well, with him entering the game with the first defense.

“Zabien probably, from the start of spring ball all the way through fall camp, I thought was the most consistent, in terms of fixing issues as they came, consistent in his fundamentals, his approach, every single day,” defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said. “I thought he was well-deserving to be able to go out there as one of the first eleven to represent our defense. Very proud of the work he’s put in.”

Brown has made an impression on the other starting cornerback, Domani Jackson, as well. But Brown isn’t new to Jackson. They’re familiar from their time playing for Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California.

“He’s a pro already,” Jackson said. “Even though he’s a freshman, he doesn’t act like a freshman. He’s a pro and goes about his business every day. He just balls out. As you’ve seen, he’s a great player.”

Brown had a solid start, too. He didn’t allow a reception on either of the targets he faced, per Pro Football Focus’ charting. Brown rotated at cornerback some, but when he played, he was successful.

He isn’t a finished product, though. Brown’s only one game into his collegiate career, and he will be tested more than he was in the first game as the level of competition improves.

Jackson said consistency will be key for Brown and the other young defensive backs.

“The challenge to those younger players is they cannot stay the same,” Wommack said. “They have to continue to elevate their game, their level of focus. It’s a great thing, but also a challenging thing, in terms of setting standards and expectations. Those standards continue to rise as the season goes on, so those younger players will have to continue to elevate their game in order to compete at the level we’re going to need them to as we maneuver through the season.”

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.