TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Watching an entire Alabama football practice can be overwhelming.

There are a lot of moving parts, multiple drills going on at the same time and, typically, the field is split into two halves with four teams (two offense, two defense) competing against each other.

But one player that stood out from the rest during Saturday’s Fan Day practice, which was open to fans and reporters to view, was defensive back Shyheim Carter. The junior worked at both right cornerback and Star, or nickel back, with the first-team defense and intercepted at least three passes during the Crimson Tide’s two-hour practice inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

For those wondering, the picks were thrown by each of Alabama’s returning quarterbacks -- Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones -- in an otherwise strong day for the signal callers.

Ahead of his third year, Carter’s performance Saturday was a result of his efforts this offseason.

“I’m looking forward to having a great season as a team, as a unit, as a whole,” Carter told BamaOnLine at UA’s Media Day. “I’ve been working on my craft, but most importantly, I’ve been working, trying to get things down with the defensive unit as a whole so we can all be on one accord.”

Last season as a sophomore, Carter made an appearance in all 14 of Alabama’s games on its way to another national title. He collected seven tackles and one pass breakup as a reserve.

But with all six of the Tide’s starters from its dime defensive backfield no longer on campus, the Kentwood, La., native and his teammates now have opportunities to step onto the field with the first-team defense. And in Carter’s case, it requires him to step into a leadership role.

“We lost a lot of guys, but we also had a lot of young guys to come in and step up and be a leader, such as myself,” Carter said. “I feel like I can be a great leader because of the things and actions I do. But I feel like I have more to improve on, also.”

Alabama CB Shyheim Carter

Much like what we saw in Saturday’s open practice, Carter can envision himself playing corner in Alabama’s base defensive package and moving inside to Star in nickel, although he did also admit there is a lot of time left in preseason camp before the 2018 opener against Louisville. And when Carter switched from corner to star, newcomer Saivion Smith came on at right corner.

Having that kind of versatility is key for not only Carter’s success this fall but for the defensive backs.

“It’s very important for all the young guys to be versatile in the entire secondary,” he said. “It’s very important, and I feel comfortable playing anywhere that the coaches need me to play. It doesn’t matter. Linebacker, safety, it doesn’t matter. D-line, it doesn’t matter. I can get it done.”

The first five defensive backs we saw in UA’s nickel formation were Carter at Star, Smith and Trevon Diggs at corner and Deionte Thompson and Xavier McKinney at safety. There is not much in-game experience in that group, although Thompson ended the year starting the final pair of games and Carter saw spot duty with the ones. But three of them -- Carter, Thompson and Diggs -- are at least in their third year in the program and all are clearly talented.

Alabama doesn’t have a Minkah Fitzpatrick returning, but does it necessarily need a “bell cow” in the secondary this year? That was a question posed to defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi.

“We did lose six DBs to the NFL, it’s no secret,” Lupoi said. “These guys, what I notice about them is their hunger -- upon their approach, the way these guys are dialed in at meetings. That’s very apparent to me so far. Now, we’ve only been out there for (two days), but these guys are hungry to get out there. It’s a competitive group, and that fires me up.

“We’re all going to feed off that. To see who can prepare, who can compete and what it takes to break these guys, as far as their preparation on that mission of who is going to contribute for us.”

There is still a lot of football left to be practiced and played in preseason camp, and a lot was going on at Alabama’s public practice. But one thing was clear, Carter has the potential to be a standout for the Crimson Tide’s new-look secondary during its upcoming campaign.

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