Crimson Red Sports

Kirkpatrick said he weighed around 165 pounds at the high school level, and weighs around 195 today. And while cornerback may not be considered the most physical position on the field, run support and bump coverage are no small part of the demands on a cornerback at Alabama. Kirkpatrick has more of a basketball player's build, and UA coach Nick Saban indicated that his body type didn't always lend itself to physical play early in Kirkpatrick's career.

"He's really become a better tackler. I never questioned his toughness. There's a difference between being tough and being physical," Saban said. "I think being a long, lean guy, he had toughness but he had a hard time maintaining that physical presence. He's certainly improved in that regard. He's gotten a lot bigger, a lot stronger, and plays that way on the field."

http://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1265071

I can see that all the younger players that started on defense last year are beefed up. 4th quarter off-season workout program is building these guys into stout, physical players. Some of them don't look like the same players from the bowl game.

I read during the off season that Kirkpatrick was working hard in the weight room and on the field. So far it shows. He looks like the lock down corner we expected him to be so far this year. The pros have their eyes on him. If he continues to play well he will be a 1st round pick.

He is a different player so far this year, his anger management has been much better. He'll probably get a test with his anger management Sat, I expect to see some cheap shots thrown downfield.

What everyone seemed to have forgotten was that he came in and played a difficult position as a true freshman last year. You can tell his commitment to beefing up and improving at his position has made him a much improved player this year. You could see his raw talent last year, but his freshman mistakes were very evident. Not this year so far. He now looks like the player everyone expected.  :clap:

I am pretty sure he was a sophomore last year, but your points are still valid.  He was the gunner on the fake punt play that was intercepted by Texas in Pasadena.  I remember that he looked like he was not expecting the ball at all and didn't fight for it.

He has surprised me because last year I never thought he would be a starting corner. He now causes fumbles, and stays with his Receiver so far. When we get to the SEC part of our games everything changes and we find out how good we really are. RTR!

It is great to see Kirkpatrick healthy and more physical this year.  30 pounds of muscle will do that.  He is finally the player everyone expected him to be when he signed his LOI.  The NFL scouts likely are taking notice, and we'll be lucky to hang onto him for another year at this rate.