In 2019, Baltimore Ravens’ third-year cornerback Marlon Humphrey will be walking onto the field with a degree from the University of Alabama, a new number and a large responsibility.

After veteran safety Earl Thomas signed with the franchise in March, he wanted to keep the same number he wore in Seattle — No. 29. However, Humphrey had been the proud owner of that number for his first two seasons in the NFL.

Thankfully, the teammates were able to work out a deal where Thomas gave a generous donation to a track team, which is lead by Humphrey’s mom, in exchange for the number. Now, the former Alabama defensive back will wear No. 44 starting in 2019.

Stay in school…or leave go get drafted then come back 😎 Roll Tide pic.twitter.com/HoPU6H1ez2 — Fruit PUNCH (@marlon_humphrey) May 4, 2019

Two years after leaving Alabama to go pro, Humphrey finally got to walk across the stage in Coleman Coliseum to receive a degree from the university.

It was a welcomed sight for family and friends, but now the No. 19 pick of the 2017 NFL Draft will look to finish what he started on the field too. So far, Humphrey has proven himself to be a solid option on the back half of the Ravens defense.

In 14 games (8 starts), the former 2016 All-American racked up 15 pass deflections, 37 total tackles and a lone forced fumble. The impressive play helped Humphrey land the No. 10 spot on the Touchdown Wire’s, part of the same network as Roll Tide Wire, list for the NFL’s 11 best outside cornerbacks.

After winning the AFC North in 2018, “The Flock” will look to find similar success this season. But they might face stiffer competition with the revamped Cleveland Browns, a revenge-seeking Pittsburgh Steelers team that has been stripped of two-thirds of the “Killer B’s” and a Bengals team that always seems to give Baltimore trouble.

In 2018, the Ravens finished their season ranked No. 5 in the league for fewest passing yards allowed per game (210).

With the departure of seasoned veterans like Eric Weddle and former Tide standout C.J. Mosley, the Ravens hope the secondary can remain a strength.

The key to that hope could be Humphrey.

Of course, they did also sign away Thomas from the Seattle Seahawks during free agency. The former member of the “Legion of Boom” inked a four-year, $55 million contract.

That signing will play an important role in keeping the Ravens on the right track, but it might not be enough to improve.

Humphrey is going to need to take the next step in his ever-improving development.

Adding a developed Humphrey and newly signed Thomas to a group already consisting of Tony Jefferson, Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr could put Baltimore over the top.

In fact, Humphrey is such an important piece to the defense that Richard Bradshaw of Ebony Bird made a claim that the former Alabama standout could be one-half of the “greatest Ravens duo” ever as he plays opposite Smith.

There aren’t many analysts who know what to expect from the AFC North this season. Overall record projections have the Browns finishing first with the Bengals checking in last. That leaves the door open for Baltimore to make moves.

Like it was previously mentioned, Humphrey will be a major part of that hope. Both he and the rest of his teammates will take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.