Alabama spring grade out: Wide receiver

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Alabama finished its spring camp last month revealing an early preview of what to expect in the coming season. We will break down each position, sharing what we saw and expect for this year. Today we continue our spring evaluations with the wide receiver position.

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Alabama safety Hootie Jones’ didn’t put it lightly. The Crimson Tide’s defense was burned several times this spring by Alabama’s speed at the receiver position. Jones and the rest of Alabama’s secondary fell victim to multiple big plays down field as Alabama’s wide receivers whizzed by on the perimeter.

“There wasn't like nothing we could do, for real,” Jones after Alabama’s first scrimmage this spring. “We were already playing lazy and they were tearing us up. I don't even know what else to say."

Alabama’s defense learned the hard way, and so will anyone who underestimates the Tide’s passing game this season. According to AL.com, four Alabama receivers recorded times under 4.5 in the 40-yard dash during spring meetings. Xavian Marks (4.41), Calvin Ridley (4.43), Robert Foster (4.47) and Jerry Jeudy (4.47) could all take turns tormenting defenses this season. By the looks of Alabama’s A-Day game, that appears to be a likely possibility.

Alabama quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa completed a combined 14 passes for more than 20 yards in the A-Day game, including touchdown passes of 25, 65, 29, and 37 yards. With Hurts showing more of a command in the passing game this spring, it should allow to Tide to open its passing game more this season.

Foster and Cam Sims seem both seem like they have been on the cusp of breaking out for a while now.

Foster was poised to be the Tide’s No. 1 receiver in 2015 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury during the third game of the season. Last year he recorded just five catches for 55 yards. Sims suffered a similar fate, suffering two torn ligaments in his left knee as well as a fractured tibia during the spring of 2015, stunting what looked like a promising start to his college career. Like Foster, Sims saw little production last season, tallying 14 receptions for 152 yards.

If spring is any indication, expect both receivers to finally reach their potential during their senior years this season.

Foster was one of the stars of Alabama’s A-Day game, hauling in two receptions for 115 yards including a 65-yard touchdown from Hurts. On that play, Foster got past cornerback Trevon Diggs before Hurts hit him in stride at the 30-yard line allowing the receiver to wheel his way untouched into the end zone.

“I feel like he’s more experienced, he knows what he’s doing,” Alabama cornerback Anthony Averett said. “He’s still fast, he’s still a guy that you have to chase around just to keep your hands on him, so he’s great.”

Sims had a quiet day on A-Day with just three catches for seven yards but was still productive during the spring. The 6-foot-5 receiver spent the spring working in the slot and could be present a nightmare for defensive backs coming across the middle.

“As a defensive back, I mean that’s a mismatch problem,” Averett said. “He has good height, good size, you can throw a jump ball. It’s a good mismatch.”

With both players projected as starters next season, their development will go a long way to determining how much Alabama can open up its offense.

If it seemed like Alabama’s receiving corps was already loaded, sophomore T.J. Simmons proved to be another valuable option in the Tide’s arsenal. A recipient of the Bart Starr Most Improved Player Award this spring, Simmons caught a team-high six passes for 82 yards and a touchdown during A-Day. That came after he tallied seven catches during the Tide’s first scrimmage.

The production comes as a surprise to many, as Simmons spent last year working on special teams and did not record a single reception. However, the breakout spring hardly came as a shock to his teammates.

“He’s making big plays, but he’s always been like that,” Ridley said. “He’s young, but he’s ready.”

Jeudy generated most of the headlines this spring, earning MVP of the A-Day game after tallying five catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns. However, the five-star early enrollee isn’t the only impressive receiver in the Tide’s 2017 class. Four-star receivers Henry Ruggs and DeVonta Smith have yet to arrive on campus but should be in line to compete for playing time next season.

Ruggs, 6-foot, 171 pounds, recently won the Alabama Class 7A 100-meter dash with a record-breaking time of 10.58 seconds. Rated as the No. 19 receiver and No. 125 player in this year’s class, many think the speedster from Montgomery, Ala., can make a difference right away at the next level.

Smith is no slouch either. The 6-foot-1, 160-pounder might need to put on some weight this fall, but is still talented nonetheless. Smith is rated as the No. 6 receiver and No. 42 player overall in this year’s class and has been clocked in the 4.4 range in the 40-yard dash.

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