Levi Wallace

A rags-to-riches story in the college football sense, Wallace had few options to play college ball out of high school. Instead of trying to walk on at a lower-level program, he accepted a larger challenge and walked on at Alabama. His father, Walter, grew up in Tuscaloosa before a career in the Navy and raised his sons to be Crimson Tide fans. Unfortunately, he passed away in April 2014 and never got to see his son play collegiately, but both his boys honored him by continuing their athletic careers at Alabama Levi in football and Lawrence on the track team. Wallace paid his dues over his first four years in Tuscaloosa, beating out several five-star players for a starting role at left cornerback in 2017. The conference-leader in passes defended, he earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice as a senior and proved to be an integral part of Alabama s National Championship. Wallace is a silky-smooth athlete with the ball awareness and hand technique to suffocate the catch point from press or off-coverage. He has clear strength and size issues as a run defender, but competitive toughness isn t a concern. BACKGROUND A no-star wide receiver recruit out of high school, Wallace was a two-way player at Tucson and, at only 140-pounds, wasn t given a realistic shot of playing college football with zero scholarship offers upon graduation. A few Division-II and Division-III programs showed modest interest, but he had the lifelong dream to play for Alabama, his father s favorite college team. Wallace walked on to the Alabama program in 2013 as a wide receiver and spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons on the scout team. He advanced to the active roster as a junior cornerback in 2016 and played mostly on special teams before seeing defensive snaps later in the season when Marlon Humphrey was injured, posting two pass break-ups. With Humphrey off to the NFL, Wallace earned a starting job as a senior (13 starts) and led the team with 18 passes defended, adding 48 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions. ...

in our view

Wallace is a remarkable underdog story, but his football journey is far from over, displaying the athletic skill-set and ball production that translates to the NFL. Although he won t be the first Alabama defensive back drafted in April (maybe not the second or third either), when watching Crimson Tide secondary prospects in 2017, it was Wallace who consistently flashed more than anyone.

strengths

Loose hips and fluid footwork to easily flip and transition mid-route. Speed to stay in stride with receivers. Instinctive and comfortable playing the catch point with his back to the ball. Relies on hand techniques in press to stab and in coverage to make plays on the ball. Outstanding ball production led the SEC with 18 passes defended in 2017, adding three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown). Sets the edge and toughness isn t a question mark. Nice job leveraging the field as a tackler. Competes with a chip on his shoulder and plays with spunk. Highly respected by Alabama teammates and coaches. Graduated with a degree in business (Aug. 2017). Determined worker and earned his way, spending two years getting his butt kicked on the scout team earned a scholarship in the fall of 2016. Dane Brugler 1/17/2018

compares to

Steven Nelson, Kansas City Chiefs A former third round pick, Nelson has been in and out of the starting line-up for the Chiefs, playing both in the slot and outside. His physical toughness, quick feet and ball skills are similar to the traits that Wallace offers.

weaknesses

Lean-limbed. Added considerable weight since high school, but frame needs more size. Marginal finishing strength, sliding off tackle attempts. Needs to improve his balance and technique as a run defender. Lack of lower body patience leads to free inside releases. Route anticipation is still in the development phase. Nuanced route-runners catch him leaning. Inexperienced with spacing, allowing too much underneath. Needs to improve his body position without grabbing. Finds himself out of control in coverage, playing too fast, lacking recovery speed. Only one season of starting experience. Dane Brugler 1/17/2018

Played defensive back and wide receiver for Tucson High School

also competed in track and field in high school

coached by Justin Argraves at THS.

2017

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
4.5	1.0	48.0	1.0	15.0	2.0	31.0

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
1.0	22.0	66.0	3.0

2016

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	1.0	11.0	0.0	2.0	0.0	7.0