The wait is almost over. Alabama is set to kick off its fall camp as players report back to Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Thursday before opening up practice on Friday. Before Alabama hits the practice field, BamaInsider.com will take a look at each of the position groups. We continue our series today by examining the wide receivers and tight ends.
Where things stand now
Despite losing all three of its starting receivers, Alabama remains loaded at the position as sophomores Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith step into heighten roles. The exciting trio combined for just 33 catches last season but showed plenty of promise during their limited opportunities.
Jeudy finished second on the team with 14 receptions for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Ruggs was third with 229 yards on 12 catches but led the team with six receiving touchdowns, including a score on each of his first five receptions. Smith tallied just seven receptions but came up with the game-winning score against Mississippi State as well as the 41-yard catch in overtime of the national championship against Georgia to clinch the national title.
“I think we have three really good freshman receivers who played and made great contributions last year to our team, and I think those guys are going to develop into a very dynamic group,” Saban said at SEC Media Days. “We’re excited about their future.
“Hopefully they’ll continue to grow and develop and be very, very productive players. We obviously lost some very good players at the receiver position, but we’re excited about those guys and their opportunity to be successful in the future.”
Alabama returns viable reserve options in seniors Derek Kief as well as Xavian Marks. The Crimson Tide will also see the emergence of redshirt freshmen Tyrell Shavers and Chadarius Townsend as well as true freshmen Jaylen Waddle, Xavier Williams and Slade Bolden.
At tight end, Alabama returns two starters in senior Hale Hentges and junior Irv Smith Jr. and will also see the return of redshirt sophomore Miller Forristall, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury last season. Sophomores Kedrick James and Major Tennison will also compete for reps, while Alabama brings freshman Michael Parker into the fold.
What we expect
Alabama failed to distribute the ball equally last season as Calvin Ridley tallied more than five times as many receptions than any other receiver. Expect that to change as the Crimson Tide doesn’t return an obvious No. 1 receiver as in years past.
If a go-to receiver does arise, it will likely be one of either Jeudy, Ruggs or Smith. Jeudy, a former five-star, might be the favorite to land that role. However, the situation will depend on the receivers’ chemistry with whoever is behind center. Last season, Jalen Hurts’ favorite receiver of the trio was Jeudy as the two connected 10 times for 172 yards and a touchdown. Tua Tagovailoa favored Ruggs, finding him seven times for 129 yards and four touchdowns.
Waddle, a five-star freshman, could play a significant role out of the slot, while Shavers’ 6-6 frame makes him an ideal target near the red zone.
Hentges returns as Alabama’s best blocker at tight end, while Irv Smith led the unit with 14 catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how Forristall returns from injury. Before last season, Alabama head coach Nick Saban compared the 6-5, 240-pound tight end to former Crimson Tide great O.J. Howard due to his ability to block and catch.
Potential surprise
Alabama’s starting three at receiver looks set, but don’t be surprised if Waddle breaks into the first-team rotation at some point this season. The dynamic playmaker was rated as the No. 7 receiver and No. 31 player overall in the 2018 class. His ability to make defenders miss in open space makes him a dangerous option over the middle or on screen passes.
“He’s got great quickness on change of direction and run after catch,” Saban said of Waddle this spring. “Really an outstanding overall receiver, but would work really well for us in the slot. Has really good run after catch, speed-sweep type of ability. Maybe a little different than some of the guys we have right now, which is a really good thing. … We’re excited about him because great quickness, great change of direction, really, really hard to cover and a great person.”
