Mark Barron was mostly a question mark coming into this season. Marquis Johnson was mostly just a bad mark – at least in the eyes of a lot of critical Alabama fans.
After their play this season, highlighted by rousing performances Saturday in Alabama’s 31-3 rout of Mississippi State, both players have now become proven commodities and fan favorites.
Barron picked off two passes against Mississippi State, and one of those interceptions – a diving scoop just before the ball hit the ground -- was nothing short of amazing. Johnson grabbed highlights with a pair of perfectly-timed, last-second, punch-away pass breakups that saved two touchdowns.
So much for trying to throw away from All-SEC caliber corner Javier Arenas, veteran corner Kareem Jackson and veteran safety Justin Woodall.
Truth is, teams have been trying to pick on the youngster Barron and the much-maligned Johnson all season long. And, for the most part, it’s been an effort in futility. Barron leads the SEC in interceptions with six. Johnson leads the SEC in pass breakups with 14.
“Marquis Johnson has done a really good job and improved each year,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said Monday of the senior. “I think back to when he was a sophomore and we were playing Florida State and you all were saying, ‘Don’t you have anybody else you could put in there?’ We believed in the guy and worked with him, and he worked really hard himself and has become a really good player who is very confident in what he is doing.”
Putting in the time, effort and dedication also has a lot to do with why Barron has done so well in his first season as a starter, according to linebacker Rolando McClain.
“He works really hard,” McClain said of Barron. “It’s no surprise to me he’s had so much success. (Defensive backs coach Kirby Smart) has done a good job coaching him.”
Barron said he felt more like an athlete trying to play defensive back last season. This season, he said, he ...
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