Almost any conversation from Alabama coaches or players regarding Shyheim Carter includes praise for his knowledge of football. Carter, Alabama’s senior defensive back, has been effective at any position, though most notably at Star, the nickel back position in Crimson Tide nomenclature. During preseason camp, Carter has been seen most often at safety. The change is no problem. “It’s just been football,” he said. “Just going out there and playing any position.”

Knowing one position at the level Alabama plays is difficult enough. And there was a time when Carter, a Kentwood, La., native, wondered if he would be up to the task.

“When I first stepped on campus I was scared I wasn’t ever going to learn the playbook,” he said. “That was one of my biggest fears coming to college, that I wouldn’t ever learn the playbook. It was big, thick, and I was like, ‘I’ll never learn all of it.’”

Obviously, he has learned it well. Although he describes the Star position as “like a linebacker,” last year he had two interceptions, returning both for touchdowns (45 yards against Louisville and 44 against Arkansas). He also broke up 10 passes (one behind Anfernee Jennings and tied with Xavier McKinney), caused a fumble, and was in on 44 tackles (4 for losses) and had 3 quarterback pressures.

Shyheim Carter breaking up pass in SEC Championship Game

Carter said that one thing that helps him and all of Alabama’s defensive backs is practicing against the Crimson Tide passing game, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throwing to the likes of 2018 Biletnikoff winner Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle.

He said, “I think they help us tremendously every day, working on what it’s like getting off blocks, covering routes for us, and them running routes and vice versa. We help them.”

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle said, “It’s a mind game. Shyheim’s been in the system a lot, so he knows exactly how to play and where to play, so his deception is really good, and me and him have some real good battles.”

In addition to the obvious physical challenge against an elite passing game in practice, Carter said, “You study those guys after practice, before practice, and even during practice when you’re taking mental reps. You’re studying what kind of movement they’re doing, like you’re breaking down game film.”

As for the opponent, he said, “We play Duke in a few days (Aug. 31 in Atlanta), so you want to see how their receivers run their routes or if they’re getting the ball, how fast they’re coming off the ball. If they’re not coming off the ball, then how are they reacting to not getting the ball. If he’s coming to block, then how is he coming to block.

“Stuff like that. It’s definitely a lot.”

Carter said that he had help in learning those ins and outs of playing in the secondary. When he was a freshman, three Alabama graduate assistants — former defensive back stars Minkah Fitzpatrick, Levi Wallace, and Anthony Averett “were real helpful.”

Now Carter helps his young teammates.

“I know a lot of things,” he said. “It kind of helps that I can play here or I can play there or I can tell [a teammate] what to do, or what I feel is about to come.”

As Waddle said, “It’s a mind game.” And Shyheim Carter has prepared to win most of those.