TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Even though University of Alabama sophomore Eddie Jackson returned to the lineup at left cornerback against Arkansas, Nick Saban isn’t ready to name him a starter yet.

“Eddie played well in the game,” the coach said Monday. “He and Tony Brown kind of compete for that position, and they’ll continue to compete for that position.”

Jackson was credited with six tackles and a sack against the Razorbacks and has started the three games he’s played in this season. Staying healthy has been an issue after needing knee surgery to repair a torn ACL in the spring and sustaining a quad injury against Southern Miss on Sept. 13.

With Jackson sidelined, Brown, a true freshman, started the two previous games against Florida and Ole Miss. Last week the two 6-foot players competed to start against a very big Razorbacks offense.

Speed figures to be more a factor this week when Alabama hosts No. 21 Texas A&M (3:30 p.m. CT, CBS), which leads the conference in scoring offense (43.9 points), total offense (564.9 yards), and passing offense (396.0).

“They have very good receivers,” Saban said. “Obviously, this is what they do and they are very good at what they do. I’m talking about there are five guys who are very productive receivers. You know 84 (Malcome Kennedy) is probably the best receiver but they have all the other four guys who play a lot can all make plays, and have made plays, and made explosive plays.”

Alabama has started four different cornerbacks this season, but none of them have an interception. Junior Cyrus Jones has been the only constant, while Bradley Sylve started alongside him in the season opener against West Virginia.