TUSCALOOSA, Ala.–Alabama’s secondary might have been its most questionable unit on the field in 2014, but returning members of the secondary like cornerback Cyrus Jones have a point to prove going into 2015.

“Any time you come off a season where it doesn’t end like you want it to,” Jones said. “It always gives you that extra motivation going into the next time you get back out there.”

Along with outgoing safety Landon Collins, Jones emerged as a reliable defender in 2014. He accounted for 46 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, three interceptions, and a team-high 13 pass breakups. He was a constant presence against some of Alabama’s best opponents, and will be counted upon as a defensive leader in the fall.

But the way he played on the field is made even more impressive by the fact that he was injured for the entire season. He tore his labrum in his hip last June and finally had surgery for it on January 12, 2015, nearly two weeks after Alabama lost to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

“As soon as I was diagnosed with it, I knew eventually I would need surgery,” Jones said. “But I couldn’t get surgery because I would’ve had to sit out during the season, so I just had to deal with it during the season.”

He had to stay conditioned during the summer even with the injury, but he was held out some running workouts and focused more on alternative conditioning exercises. During the season, he got treatment to manage the pain and make sure he could perform during games.

On Tuesday, Jones assessed his health at about 70 percent, and said it would be a few more months before he’s back to full health.

With this injury, Jones hasn’t practiced this offseason — riding a stationary bike next to recovering linebacker Denzel Devall during practices — but he has been able to watch his unit’s improvement.

Jones welcomed the presence of new defensive backs coach Mel Tucker, and has been impressed with new players who have stepped up this Spring.

Focusing on one player specifically, both Jones and running back Derrick Henry have touted the praise of early enrollee safety Ronnie Harrison and his improvement.

“Ronnie Harrison has been doing a great job,” Henry said. “He looks really good, a guy who is an early enrollee and has played well, like he’s been here before.”

No matter who steps up alongside Jones in the defensive backfield, he knows the unit received mountains of criticism last season, and it probably will remain that way this year until the doubters are proven otherwise, which is Jones’ primary goal.

“I know criticism is something that you got to let go in one ear and out the other, but it’s hard to when you’re constantly hearing the same things,” Jones said. “I think it’s definitely something that us as a secondary takes personally. We got a point to prove…and I know once I come back, I’m just going to be ready to prove all the doubters wrong.”