“They do a great job in the secondary,” the Alabama co-offensive coordinator/receivers coach said Thursday. “These guys are physical. They’re going to strike you. They’re fast. They can play the ball in the air.”

Malaki Starks was the first player Shephard mentioned, which isn’t a shock. The defensive back was a consensus first-team All-America selection in 2023.

“Freaky interception he had against Clemson,” Shephard said. “Just freaky. I think the guy is going to be a first-round draft pick.”

Overall Shephard said his receivers have their work cut out for them.

Alabama football preparing for ‘fast’ and ‘physical’ Georgia secondary

“They’re coming down, hitting people, making great tackles,” Shephard said. “They’re going to hit you in a variety of different ways. There’s times they’re going to hit you low. Sometimes they’re going to hit you right in the chest. They do a lot of different things that make us realize we’ve got our work cut out for us in this upcoming game.”

No. 4 Alabama is set to face No. 1/2 Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 28 (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The game will mark the first for freshman Ryan Williams against SEC competition. He has caught four touchdowns through the first three games, but he hasn’t faced a secondary as good as this one from Georgia.

The Bulldogs, as a whole, have yet to give up a touchdown this season.