During the buildup to only certain games does Minkah Fitzpatrick see practice time at his potential long-term position.

The freshman from New Jersey is playing Alabama's Star spot, a hybrid nickel back position that relies on a player be able to cover slot receivers while also supporting the run like a safety.

This is not where Fitzpatrick will be long-term.

As soon as next season, Fitzpatrick could be playing a more standard position -- either cornerback or safety.

At least for now, coach Nick Saban said, the Tide view the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Fitzpatrick as a cornerback.

"There's not a lot of carryover between playing corner and playing Star in terms of techniques, what you do, repetitions, assignments," Saban said. "So we've played so much nickel that only in the games where we're not going to play a lot of nickel - like the Georgia game - does he get any reps at all at corner.

"But we have no reason to think that he can't be a very good corner in the future. But I do think that he's going to have to have some time to practice it and develop there. But I also think he could play safety if he wanted to be a safety. But corners are, you know, a little more difficult to find. He's certainly been a good one for us so far."

One of the top-ranked members of the Tide's most recent recruiting class, Fitzpatrick has made one of the biggest immediate impacts any true freshman has made since Saban arrived at Alabama in 2007.

Fitzpatrick is tied for fifth on the team with 24 tackles. He has three stops for a loss, two sacks, a team-high six pass breakups among non-defensive linemen and two interceptions he returned for touchdowns.

Fitzpatrick also had a momentum-shifting play on special teams during Alabama's 38-10 win over No. 8 Georgia Oct. 3.

With the Tide leading just 10-3 with less than five minutes left in the second quarter, Fitzpatrick blocked a punt, recovered the ball and ran 1-yard for a touchdown.

Both of his pick-sixes came during Alabama's 41-23 win over No. 9 Texas A&M last week.

He became the first player in Tide history with two interception returns for touchdowns in the same game.

While Fitzpatrick has strictly played Star in games, teammates such as wide receiver Richard Mullaney said they see the characteristics that will enable Fitzpatrick to have continued success once he focuses on cornerback.

"He's really smart out there," Mullaney said. "I feel like that's one of his biggest things, how smart he is. He's really physical. Obviously he can run. Really, just how smart he is, reading the defense, reading the quarterback. That's one of the best things he's got."