TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Christian Barmore has not seen much of the field this season, playing primarily as a reserve late in games. But when he has, the defensive lineman has been disruptive.

The redshirt freshman has recorded seven tackles, one tackle for loss and two hurries in three games played, including three straight tackles to close out the Southern Miss game last week.

“We certainly are pleased with the progress he’s made,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said of Barmore. “He’s got ability, he’s got initial quickness.”

A former 4-star recruit out of Philadelphia, Barmore redshirted last season but shined on the practice field as a nine-time scout-team player of the week for the Crimson Tide in 2018. He was the No. 5 player in the state of Pennsylvania, the No. 16 defensive tackle and the No. 176 overall prospect in the 2018 recruiting cycle, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

“He’s somebody that came in a little raw and has just tried to keep continuing to get better and continue to maximize his opportunity,” redshirt senior linebacker Anfernee Jennings said. “Every time he gets in the game, he’s trying to do that, and he’s trying to gain coaches’ trust so they can extend his playing time. That’s what he wants to do. He’s somebody that can continue to get better and somebody we’re trying to push to get better, so maybe he can help us out.”

One way for him to gain that trust is by not committing targeting penalties like he did on the road at South Carolina in the final 15 seconds of the game. That kept him out for the first half of the Southern Miss game, which saw starters LaBryan Ray and DJ Dale both sidelined by injuries.

“It’s just all about being consistent at that point,” Jennings said. “He obviously sees that he can play. It’s all about being consistent and playing winning football. No costly penalties or nothing like that.

“Stuff that will help us more than harms us.”

Barmore has shown he has the ability, though late in games. For the 6-foot-5, 310-pounder to see the field earlier, he has to show Saban he understands the defense and the players around him.

“The challenge for us has been to get him to do the things that he needs to do relative to the rest of the players on defense,” Saban said. “You can’t have guys that if they’re supposed to slant to the right, slant to the left. That’s when the ball goes out of the gate. And he’s learning that that’s a real critical part of what he needs to do to take the next step as a player, and we certainly need for him to do that. And we’re encouraged by the steps that he’s made to do that.

“So hopefully, his role will increase for us in the future.”

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