Tony Brown is one of the fastest players in college football and is also a star member of the Alabama track team. However, he’s been inconsistent as a member of the Crimson Tide secondary.

The senior has appeared in eight games this year and has made 17 tackles (one for a loss) and has defensed one pass.

With the Alabama defense hampered by injuries, more responsibilities will fall on the shoulders of the healthy players. During Wednesday’s press conference, Alabama coach Nick Saban said Brown is capable of handling that responsibility when he’s focused on what he needs to do:

Obviously, that’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for Brown, but it is a message that he’ll have to respond to down the stretch.

If Brown can step up his game, the Crimson Tide defense will be better for it. If he continues to be inconsistent, the Tide will have to look elsewhere to find consistency on the back end of the defense.