Alabama will look to repeat as national champions this year as it aims to add a 19th title to its trophy case. The Crimson Tide opens its season on Sept. 4 against Miami inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. To help pass the time until then, BamaInsider is delving into 21 topics and questions concerning the 2021 season.
Today we continue our series by examining a few sophomores poised for breakout seasons
Javon Baker, WR
Javon Baker has created a buzz at times since joining Alabama as a four-star talent last summer. However, the majority of his promising play has occurred behind the scenes.
Baker recorded just two receptions for 15 yards during his freshman season last year. He had a successful spring camp this year, working with the first-team offense while hauling in touchdowns in each of the Tide’s first two scrimmages. However, he managed just one reception for 4 yards in front of fans on A-Day.
There’s been a lot of excitement surrounding Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams this offseason, as he was brought in to inject some much-needed speed into the unit. While Williams figures to compete for a first-team spot alongside returning starters John Metchie III and Slade Bolden, Baker is still very much in contention for a significant role during his second season.
Baker took part in 100 offensive snaps last season, the most among non-starting receivers. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound receiver spent 84 of those snaps out wide as compared to 16 either in the slot or in the backfield. With Williams and Metchie figuring to serve as perimeter threats, Baker might need to move inside to slot to see more action this season. That shouldn’t be an issue for the versatile receiver.
Jase McClellan, RB
It can be argued that Jase McClellan already broke out a bit last season as he flashed his big-play ability on multiple occasions. The four-star running back ripped off an 80-yard touchdown run against Arkansas and led the Tide averaging 10.65 yards per carry. He finished third on the team with 245 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground over 12 appearances.
McClellan followed up that success this spring, recording a game-high 46 rushing yards on 12 carries while reeling in seven receptions for 62 yards on A-Day.
While fifth-year senior Brian Robinson is projected to lead the running back unit this season, McClellan is arguably the most talented option in the Tide’s loaded backfield. The 5-foot-11, 212-pound sophomore’s mix of speed and power should net him significantly more playing time this season.
“The biggest thing for Jase is to keep working,” Robinson said during camp. “With the loaded backfield that we have, as long as he keeps working, I feel like he’ll have a strong opportunity to show people what he can do this year, too.”
Drew Sanders, OLB
After entering Alabama with a great deal of hype, Drew Sanders already faces what figures to be an early turning point in his college career.
The former Rivals100 member is coming off an up-and-down freshman season that saw him record just nine tackles over 12 appearances. Sanders was named as a special teams player of the week twice by the Alabama coaching staff. However, he struggled during his time on the defensive side of the ball, registering a 28.8 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus — the lowest mark on the team.
Sanders, 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, offers plenty of athleticism off the edge and could be utilized as a pass-rushing threat this season. While he has the potential to be a future star, he’ll have to make sure not to be passed over by the Tide’s other young talents in the unit, including Chris Braswell, Quandarrius Robinson and Dallas Turner.
Tim Smith, DT
Alabama’s defensive line is loaded with experience, but the Tide will still need to find a replacement for departing defensive tackle Christian Barmore, who led the team with eight sacks last season. Barmore led the nation’s defensive linemen with a 91.5 pass-rushing grade and served as a disruptive force up the middle.
Alabama returns two year starter D.J. Dale at nose guard. While the 6-foot-3, 307-pounder has proved a capable run-stopper, his 56.9 pass-rushing grade left much to be desired.
That’s where Smith comes in. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound tackle played in nine games last season, recording 14 tackles including 2.5 for a loss and sack with a forced fumble. Smith also registered a 65.2 pass-rushing grade and might be the answer to what Alabama is losing in Barmore.
Alabama will still likely turn to Dale on early downs but could sub in Smith on passing downs. If the sophomore can carry over last season’s success, he has the potential to follow in a line of star defensive tackles produced by the Tide in recent years.
Roydell Wiliams, RB
Before this spring, Roydell Williams was already becoming a somewhat forgotten commodity in Alabama’s busy backfield. With reserve reps at a premium during last year’s SEC-only schedule, the Hueytown, Ala. native managed just 71 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries during his freshman season.
With McClellan emerging as Alabama’s most celebrated back in the 2020 class, Williams looked as though he would be buried in a running back room that also includes Brian Robinson, Keilan Robinson and Trey Sanders. That is until Williams put together a promising spring camp this year.
Starting for the first-team offense on A-Day, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound back ran for 43 yards on 12 carries while recording four receptions for 65 yards. Williams has been compared to former Alabama standout Josh Jacobs due to his bowling-ball running style and ability to catch out of the backfield. While he’ll face steep competition for snaps this season, that versatility could net him a much bigger role in Alabama’s offense.
Today we continue our series by examining a few sophomores poised for breakout seasons
Javon Baker, WR
Javon Baker has created a buzz at times since joining Alabama as a four-star talent last summer. However, the majority of his promising play has occurred behind the scenes.
Baker recorded just two receptions for 15 yards during his freshman season last year. He had a successful spring camp this year, working with the first-team offense while hauling in touchdowns in each of the Tide’s first two scrimmages. However, he managed just one reception for 4 yards in front of fans on A-Day.
There’s been a lot of excitement surrounding Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams this offseason, as he was brought in to inject some much-needed speed into the unit. While Williams figures to compete for a first-team spot alongside returning starters John Metchie III and Slade Bolden, Baker is still very much in contention for a significant role during his second season.
Baker took part in 100 offensive snaps last season, the most among non-starting receivers. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound receiver spent 84 of those snaps out wide as compared to 16 either in the slot or in the backfield. With Williams and Metchie figuring to serve as perimeter threats, Baker might need to move inside to slot to see more action this season. That shouldn’t be an issue for the versatile receiver.
Jase McClellan, RB
It can be argued that Jase McClellan already broke out a bit last season as he flashed his big-play ability on multiple occasions. The four-star running back ripped off an 80-yard touchdown run against Arkansas and led the Tide averaging 10.65 yards per carry. He finished third on the team with 245 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground over 12 appearances.
McClellan followed up that success this spring, recording a game-high 46 rushing yards on 12 carries while reeling in seven receptions for 62 yards on A-Day.
While fifth-year senior Brian Robinson is projected to lead the running back unit this season, McClellan is arguably the most talented option in the Tide’s loaded backfield. The 5-foot-11, 212-pound sophomore’s mix of speed and power should net him significantly more playing time this season.
“The biggest thing for Jase is to keep working,” Robinson said during camp. “With the loaded backfield that we have, as long as he keeps working, I feel like he’ll have a strong opportunity to show people what he can do this year, too.”
Drew Sanders, OLB
After entering Alabama with a great deal of hype, Drew Sanders already faces what figures to be an early turning point in his college career.
The former Rivals100 member is coming off an up-and-down freshman season that saw him record just nine tackles over 12 appearances. Sanders was named as a special teams player of the week twice by the Alabama coaching staff. However, he struggled during his time on the defensive side of the ball, registering a 28.8 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus — the lowest mark on the team.
Sanders, 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, offers plenty of athleticism off the edge and could be utilized as a pass-rushing threat this season. While he has the potential to be a future star, he’ll have to make sure not to be passed over by the Tide’s other young talents in the unit, including Chris Braswell, Quandarrius Robinson and Dallas Turner.
Tim Smith, DT
Alabama’s defensive line is loaded with experience, but the Tide will still need to find a replacement for departing defensive tackle Christian Barmore, who led the team with eight sacks last season. Barmore led the nation’s defensive linemen with a 91.5 pass-rushing grade and served as a disruptive force up the middle.
Alabama returns two year starter D.J. Dale at nose guard. While the 6-foot-3, 307-pounder has proved a capable run-stopper, his 56.9 pass-rushing grade left much to be desired.
That’s where Smith comes in. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound tackle played in nine games last season, recording 14 tackles including 2.5 for a loss and sack with a forced fumble. Smith also registered a 65.2 pass-rushing grade and might be the answer to what Alabama is losing in Barmore.
Alabama will still likely turn to Dale on early downs but could sub in Smith on passing downs. If the sophomore can carry over last season’s success, he has the potential to follow in a line of star defensive tackles produced by the Tide in recent years.
Roydell Wiliams, RB
Before this spring, Roydell Williams was already becoming a somewhat forgotten commodity in Alabama’s busy backfield. With reserve reps at a premium during last year’s SEC-only schedule, the Hueytown, Ala. native managed just 71 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries during his freshman season.
With McClellan emerging as Alabama’s most celebrated back in the 2020 class, Williams looked as though he would be buried in a running back room that also includes Brian Robinson, Keilan Robinson and Trey Sanders. That is until Williams put together a promising spring camp this year.
Starting for the first-team offense on A-Day, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound back ran for 43 yards on 12 carries while recording four receptions for 65 yards. Williams has been compared to former Alabama standout Josh Jacobs due to his bowling-ball running style and ability to catch out of the backfield. While he’ll face steep competition for snaps this season, that versatility could net him a much bigger role in Alabama’s offense.
