Deep down, Deionte Thompson had wanted to move back to safety for a while.

That made Thompson's meeting with Alabama coach Nick Saban following the SEC championship game relatively easy.

Thompson, whom Rivals ranked as the third-best safety prospect in last year's recruiting class, had spent the past several months of his freshman season at wide receiver after moving there from safety during the spring.

But Saban told Thompson during that meeting that he thinks Thompson has a better chance to play a role next season at safety than at wide receiver. Saban further explained that moving back at that point would give Thompson multiple weeks of practice at safety and a chance to reacclimate to the position before beginning to compete for a starting job during the spring.

Saban said Thompson could have time to think before making a decision. But the Texas native told Saban before leaving Saban's office that he wanted to move back to safety, which is where he practiced leading up to both of Alabama's Playoff games.

"It had been on my mind for a minute," Thompson said of moving back to safety. "So I just thought it was time for me to move back."

Thompson will be among a group of players competing for the starting safety job vacated by departing senior Geno Matias-Smith.

"The first couple of days after moving back I felt rusty, but then I felt like I got back into the groove pretty quick," Thompson said.

Thompson had two interceptions during Alabama's first spring scrimmage in April prior to moving to wide receiver.

After shifting back to safety, Thompson was one of the Tide's scout team players of the week leading up to Alabama's Cotton Bowl win over Michigan State.

Something that will help Thompson heading into next year: He has already put on more than 20 pounds since arriving at Alabama last January.

After weighing 174 pounds when he first got to Alabama, the 6-foot-2 Thompson was up to 195 pounds entering the offseason.

"I can play whichever safety," Thompson said. "I can come down and play in the box if they want me to play in the box or I can play in the back end and make plays in the back end. It doesn't really matter."