TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Freshman cornerback Patrick Surtain II joined Alabama’s starting lineup for the first time in his young career Saturday in the Crimson Tide’s 45-23 win over Texas A&M.

The former 5-star recruit became the 13th Alabama player to make his first start this season, and this occurred one week after Surtain replaced three-game starter Saivion Smith on the Tide’s second defensive snap at Ole Miss. After the Week 4 game, Nick Saban explained why the true freshman was a part of the starting 11 in base and proceeded to play in nickel and dime.

“We liked him because he’s big and they have some big receivers,” Saban said after the SEC home opener. “... I’ve been pleased with his progress, I’ve been pleased with his performance. He’s a bright guy. He’s very athletic. He’s got good ball skills. He plays with toughness.”

Along with making his first start, Surtain also picked up his first career interception in the second quarter. Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond launched a pass down the field for receiver Quartney Davis, and the ball sailed over the wideout and into Surtain’s hands for the pick.

Freshman Patrick Surtain II looking like his dad out there for @AlabamaFTBL. pic.twitter.com/byME7kk9Xf — SEConCBS (@SEConCBS) September 22, 2018

“That was a tough route that they ran,” Saban said. “He ended up having single coverage over there. They all three receivers on one side, the tight end on the backside and they released all five guys. So, he ended up single-covered on the guy and the guy ran a post, and they ran a divide route, 1-3 cross. He ends up by himself on that guy because all the help’s used up, and he made a great play on the ball, no doubt. That was a great play.”

It was one of two first-half interceptions for Alabama. Linebacker Mack Wilson also had one on the Aggies’ first series. The pair of picks gives the Crimson Tide at least one forced turnover in 46 of its last 48 games, dating back to the start of the 2015 season. During that span, UA has forced 80 turnovers (56 interceptions, 24 fumbles) and returned 19 of them for touchdowns.

“He played good technique,” junior cornerback Trevon Diggs said of Surtain. “He kept his eyes on the receiver. They had run, I think, a scissors route, and he just stayed high on his receiver and he made a great play on the ball. I really like him a lot, he’s a great player, and I feel like he’s going to have a lot of success.”

Along with the interception, Surtain recorded three tackles and one pass breakup against the Aggies. On the year, the Florida native has played in all four of Alabama’s games and recorded eight tackles and three pass breakups after a prolific prep career at American Heritage.

But like the rest of the defense versus A&M, Surtain didn’t finish the game as Saban wanted.

“He made some mental errors at the end of the game that we’ll need to correct, that he’ll learn from,” the 12th-year head coach said. “... He made a couple mistakes at the end of the game that we need to get corrected, but I’m sure there’s a lot of players that did the same.”

Still, the nation’s No. 1-ranked cornerback in the 2018 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite, made the move many expected from his after all the buzz he generated over the summer. There’s still room for improvement, but there’s no denying Surtain’s potential.

“I think he’s got a little bit of maturing to do physically, in terms of the speed and the physicality of the game, especially in the run game and kind of setting the edge and some of those things that we ask our corners to do in Coach Saban’s scheme,” former Alabama safety Will Lowery told BamaOnLine. “But as far as coverage, it looks like he’s already there, to me.

“He can obviously stick with these guys, and he clearly is doing enough for Coach Saban to trust him. … I think he’s going to continue to get better every week and end up being one of the best corners we’ve ever had if he can kind of keep developing and living up to the hype.”

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

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