“Transition and Triumph: Trey Amos Shines at Ole Miss After Alabama Departure”
When Nick Saban, Alabama’s six-time national championship-winning head coach and defensive backs specialist, retired in January, it impacted the Crimson Tide’s defensive backs. Cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold went to the NFL, and standout freshman safety Caleb Downs transferred to Ohio State.
Further down the depth chart, backup cornerback Trey Amos, who was expected to start in 2024, transferred within the SEC to join Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss. At SEC Media Days on Monday, Rebel players said Amos is fitting in well in Oxford.
“I feel like he’s gonna be the best DB in the country next year,” Rebel wide receiver Tre Harris said.
Harris, who frequently competes against Amos in practice, has been impressed by their matchups.
“It turns you up,” defensive end Jared Ivey said. “They’re both making big plays… It’s just cool to see, to be around elite guys and just see elite plays being made at practice every day.”
Both Amos and Harris are from Louisiana. Amos played at Louisiana-Lafayette for three years before joining Alabama in 2023.
“It’s really iron sharpening iron,” Harris said of their practice matchups.
Harris, who played high school football in Lafayette before starting his college career at Louisiana Tech, caught 54 passes for 985 yards for the Rebels last season.
Amos played at New Iberia before starting his college career.
“It’s great to see a guy who’s from my hometown be able to have that much success,” Harris said. “And I’m super excited to see him play this year.”
Amos won’t face his old team, as Alabama and Ole Miss won’t play each other in 2024 or 2025 due to the SEC’s new schedule model with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. Alabama will open the season on Aug. 31 against Western Kentucky in Tuscaloosa, while Ole Miss takes on Furman in Oxford the same day.