Jordan Battle: 5 things to know about Cincinnati's NFL draft third-round pick from Alabama

Not only did the Cincinnati Bengals take a third defensive player in the first three rounds of the 2023 NFL draft, they addressed their secondary yet again.

Alabama safety Jordan Battle joined Michigan cornerback DJ Turner and Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy as the team's three selections through two days of the draft. Battle and Turner join 2022 first-rounder Dax Hill and second-rounder Cam Taylor-Britt among the team's young, talented defensive backs.

It may have been a surprising pick, but Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters they couldn't pass on Battle.

"We think this guy fits everything we're about. A+ character. Leader on a great team. Valuable for us as a safety and special teams player," Taylor said, per The Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. "It's hard to miss on guys like that."

Listen to Taylor's call informing Battle that he's the Bengals' pick.

What to know about Battle:

Battle attended the same high school, St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as former Bengal Gio Bernard.

Bernard called the Bengals "home" in acknowledging a congratulatory tweet from the team after he announced his retirement Friday after 10 NFL seasons.

Former Bengals star Geno Atkins also attended St. Thomas Aquinas.

Battle only lost six games in four seasons at Alabama.

Battle was a two-time first-team All-SEC selection. He had six interceptions in four seasons for the Crimson Tide, including three he returned for touchdowns.

Battle is Pro Football Focus' highest graded safety in coverage since 2020.

Battle probably won't get to wear No. 9 with the Bengals.

Battle wore No. 9 at Alabama; Joe Burrow wears it for the Bengals.

Battle faced Burrow in one Alabama-LSU meeting, on Nov. 19, 2019. It was Burrow's final season for the Tigers, and Battle's first for the Crimson Tide. Battle had six tackles. Burrow had 393 passing yards and three touchdowns, adding 64 rushing yards in LSU's 46-41 win.

Battle was committed to Ohio State, but flipped to Alabama.

Battle was ranked in the top 100 nationally when he committed to play for Urban Meyer at Ohio State. He flipped to Alabama when Meyer left the Buckeyes. Rivals.com had listed him as the No. 2 safety and sixth overall prospect from Florida.

Battle wants to prove he's versatile, and the Bengals could be playing some dime.

Battle told reporters he can do more than what was expected of him in college.

"I'll play whatever I can to help the defense," Battle said, per Goldsmith. "In the deep part of the field, in the slot, I just want to show my versatility at the next level."

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