Kendall Sheffield did not see the field in 2015 – his true freshman season at Alabama. But the former five-star cornerback was all smiles as the Crimson Tide prepared to face then-No. 1 Clemson in the College Football Playoff national title game.

Kendall Sheffield was the No. 20 overall player, No. 4 cornerback and No. 3 player in Texas in 2015.

“It’s been an exciting season,” Sheffield told BamaOnLine in Phoenix. “Going from a true freshman all the way to the national championship, it’s been exciting. I’m just happy to be here.”

Sheffield, the 20th overall prospect, No. 4 cornerback and No. 3 player in the state of Texas in the 2015 recruiting cycle according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite rankings, redshirted at one of the deeper positions on Alabama’s roster during the 2015 team’s championship run.

He is, however, competing on the Crimson Tide’s track and field team this semester and was slated to run the 60 meters for Alabama but did not start or run the event at the Indiana Relays this weekend.

But on the gridiron, according to departing cornerback and three-year starter Cyrus Jones, Sheffield is a player to watch in the Crimson Tide’s secondary this spring and in fall camp.

“I think Kendall Sheffield will be a great player,” Jones said. “I spent a lot of time with him these past few months, especially in the summertime, just trying to help him get adjusted, and we’ve gotten pretty close. He’s like my little brother.

“I think he’ll be great. His time just sitting back and watching, learning from older guys, I think it’s gonna pay off for him in the springtime and definitely going into camp. He’s physically gifted and the sky’s the limit for him.”

And Jones is not the only member of Alabama’s championship team that believes that. Ex-defensive backs coach Mel Tucker, who is now the defensive coordinator for Kirby Smart’s at Georgia, also gave a rave review of rising redshirt freshman.

“Kendall’s done a great job,” Tucker said in Phoenix. “He’s gotten better. He has a much better understanding of our scheme and what we ask our guys to do. He does take reps with our defensive unit every day in practice, so that’s helped him get better.

Sheffield arrives in Columbus on Sunday.

“He’s a very, very coachable guy, and he’s a tremendous competitor. He’s a tough kid that works hard, he’s got great speed and he wants to be great player. I saw a lot of him, and I think the future’s bright for Kendall.”

With Jones leaving an open spot in the secondary, Sheffield will look to compete for a starting spot opposite of rising redshirt sophomore Marlon Humphrey. This past season, Humphrey was in the same position as Sheffield, with no game experience, but was able to fend off teammates for the starting job.

Seeing that from Humphrey gave Sheffield a sort of blueprint to follow in his preparation this offseason, which he will use to build on the foundation Tucker and Nick Saban laid for him during his redshirt year.

“I didn’t expect to redshirt, but since they redshirted me, I’ve just been doing everything I can to get better and just been working every day,” Sheffield said. “… I’ve been working a lot on my technique and learning the playbook more, too.

“I can always work on my technique and learn the playbook and just get better as a corner.”

Despite not expecting to redshirt, Sheffield’s expression was elated instead of gloomy in Arizona. It helps to earn a national championship ring in your first year of college and to compete for a starting spot in a few months. Those and other reasons.

“They (Alabama) have a winning program, a great coaching staff,” Sheffield said. “I’m happy to be here.”

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Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging system or on Twitter at @Charlie_Potter.