TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It’s weird for Xavier McKinney to look around Alabama’s safety room and not see or hear Deionte Thompson, who will be an NFL draft pick in a little more than a month.

McKinney is now the lone quarterback of the secondary after splitting the responsibilities with Thompson in 2018. But the rising junior safety is comfortable being the voice of the defensive backs.

“I don’t feel like it’s any different for me as it was last year,” McKinney said Friday. “I tried to have that same approach coming in last year about kind of making sure everybody was where they were supposed to be. So, I don’t think, in that regard, that there’s anything different.”

McKinney was one of five defenders to record at least 70 tackles, showing his range at safety in his first year as a starting defensive back in 2018. The Roswell, Ga., native seemed to progress each week, playing some of his best football of the season during the College Football Playoff, where he joined Nick Saban and Tua Tagovailoa on the postgame podium after both playoff contests.

Leadership was a quality McKinney exhibited as a sophomore, and entering his junior season and prior to the spring, the safety took that approach to another level, according to his head coach.

“Xavier’s done a great job, has had a great offseason,” Saban said. “I think he was one of the best performers each week that we did offseason workouts for four weeks. You couldn’t ask a guy to set a better example. I mean his practice habits have been phenomenal these first three practices. I mean he’s doing everything he can to set a good example and be a leader for other players.”

McKinney said Alabama’s loss to Clemson in the national championship game influenced that.

Alabama safety Xavier McKinney

“Of course, I try to remind the guys of how the season ended last year,” McKinney said. “That gets me going and gets my energy level up, so that was a big part of how I started the spring.”

The safety ranked third on the Crimson Tide defense with 73 tackles, including six tackles for loss and three sacks, and was tied for second on the team with two interceptions, including one of Alabama’s pick-sixes in 2018, picking off a pass at Ole Miss and returning it 30 yards for a score. He added 10 pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble as a sophomore.

McKinney proved to be a versatile member of Alabama’s secondary, as well, as he manned the strong safety position in nickel and dime and moved down to Money in the slot in dime formations.

Thompson is no longer on campus for him to lean on, which is something new for McKinney. But through the first three spring practices and the Fourth Quarter Program, the former 4-star recruit is proving to be a worthy leader in the secondary. And he is confident that his teammates can fill the void left behind be the consensus All-American over the next 12 spring football practices.

“This is different in a lot of different ways,” McKinney said. “Of course, now I’m kind of like a vet. I’ve been here, so I kind of know what goes on and a lot of the things that go on around the building. Just helping the younger guys get prepared, helping everybody stay focused.

“That’s kind of a big part of it being here for my third year.”

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).

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