Former DB Geno Matias-Smith is back at Alabama as an analyst, and he’ll serve in an off-the-field role this fall, according to 247Sports.

Matias-Smith will serve more in an intern-like capacity for the Tide, and the former starting safety last played with the Tide in 2015. He then played in the NFL with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

With Matias-Smith on board, he’ll be at least the third former Alabama player under Nick Saban to join the staff in some capacity. Former linebacker Denzel Devall currently serves as the Director of Player Development where he was promoted in late February, and former safety Nick Perry is a graduate assistant. Others have served on the Tide’s staff in some capacity in the past, too.

By adding former players, Saban already has a good feel for them, because he coached them. It also instantly adds a respect level from the current players to the former players on the staff, too. For the current players, knowing they have staff members who know exactly what they’re feeling and going through also adds a comfort level. You can bet the current players approach Devall, Perry and Matias-Smith with questions about different things they’ll face on and off the field at Alabama.

Kevin Duffey

A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.