Five things to know about Alabama's receivers and tight ends in 2017
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Editor's Note: With preseason practice less than two weeks away, BamaInsider is previewing the upcoming Alabama football season by looking at each position group on offense, defense and special teams. This installment is on the wide receivers and tight ends.
Also read | Quarterbacks | Running backs
Where Alabama stands
Alabama is looking to improve its passing game from last season and will have plenty of weapons to do so. While it’s true the Crimson Tide lost three of its four leading receivers last season, it returns with plenty of talented options to fill the holes.
Calvin Ridley will be the centerpiece of the unit after leading the team with 72 receptions for 769 yards and seven touchdowns last season. As the most established receiver in the bunch, Ridley should be looked to step up as a leader as well. So far, the junior receiver has done just that. Ridley was selected as one of three players to represent Alabama during SEC Media Days earlier this month and appears to have taken ownership to his new role on the team.
Alabama will also hope for the emergence of two other talented veterans in Robert Foster and Cam Sims. Foster came into the program as a prized recruit but had failed to produce to his expectations, much in part to unfortunate series of injuries. The redshirt senior had two receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown during A-Day and appears poised for a breakout season this year. Sims has also suffered from injuries throughout his career. The best blocker of the bunch, the 6-foot-5, 214-pound receiver lined up as the starter at slot this spring.
The Tide also brought in several stellar signees in this year’s recruiting class. Leading the way is five-star early enrollee Jerry Jeudy, who won earned MVP honors during A-Day after catching five passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. The Tide also received a pair of exciting options over the summer in Henry Ruggs and DeVonta Smith. The two four-star signees both posses plenty of speed and big-play ability. Other notable freshmen include Tyrell Shavers and Chadarius Townsend. Meanwhile, juniors Derek Kief and Xavian Marks add depth and experience to the unit.
Alabama is less deep at tight end but will still have pieces to work with at the position. Sophomore Miller Forristall was described as “O.J.-like” by head coach Nick Saban who said he had some of the same qualities as first-round pick O.J. Howard. Junior Hale Hentges appears to be the best blocker at the position, while Irv Smith looks to be a big-play threat in the passing game. Early enrollee Major Tennison looks to have the potential to contribute as well.
Where Alabama would like to be
As stated above, Alabama is more than set at wide receiver. The key will be figuring out which players fit in which roles. Sims raised some eyebrows early on when he was selected as the starter at the slot position. However, given his size and strength, he should provide a quality blocker inside while serving as a big target over the middle. Another question will be where Jeudy fits in. After showing what he is capable of this spring, it will be hard to keep the freshman off the field.
Alabama doesn’t have a tight end that can fully replace what Howard brought to last season’s offense, both in terms of blocking and receiving. Instead, the Tide will most likely find ways to highlight each of its tight ends strengths with different packages. First-year offensive coordinator Brian Daboll comes to Tuscaloosa, Ala., after spending the past three seasons as the tight ends coach for the New England Patriots. New England often uses packages with two tight ends. It will be interesting to see whether or not Daboll carries that over to his offense with Alabama.
Biggest question
How big of a role will the freshmen have? Jeudy appears to be a shoo-in for extended reps. The real question is whether or not Ruggs and Smith will have enough time to impress coaches enough to see the field as well.
Smith comes to the Tide as the No. 6 receiver and No. 42 player overall in the 2017 class. While the four-star recruit is said to compare favorably to Ridley, he will need to add some weight before the season. Ruggs, who recorded a state-record time of 10.58 seconds in the 100-meter dash while in high school this spring, comes to the Tide as the No. 19 receiver and No. 125 player overall in the 2017 class. On top of their receiving abilities, both players could also play a significant role as a returner on special teams.
“Fast, both have been really fast,” Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick said during SEC Media Days. “I cover them every day, and I think they pose a real challenge. They’re quick, they’re fast, explosive down the field and they come in and out of their breaks like lightning. So, just covering them is getting me a lot better.”
Projected depth chart
WR X
1. Calvin Ridley, Jr., 6-1, 190 pounds
2. Jerry Jeudy, Fr., 6-1, 187 pounds
3. Tyrell Shavers, Fr., 6-6, 209 pounds
WR Z
1. Robert Foster, R-Sr., 6-2, 194 pounds
2. Derek Kief, R-Jr., 6-4, 204 pounds
3. Henry Ruggs, Fr., 6-0, 175 pounds
WR H
1. Cam Sims, Sr., 6-5, 214 pounds
2. Xavian Marks, Jr., 5-8, 174 pounds
3. DeVonta Smith, Fr., 6-1, 165 pounds
TE
1. Hale Hentges, Jr., 6-5, 249 pounds
2. Major Tennison, Fr., 6-5, 245 pounds
TE H
1. Miller Forristall, So., 6-5, 238 pounds
2. Irv Smith, So., 6-4, 246 pounds
Prediction
Calvin Ridley records 1,000 or more yards and 10 touchdowns through the air. Ridley suffered last season as Alabama’s passing struggled through growing pains with true freshman Jalen Hurts at quarterback. This spring, Hurts showed a vast improvement in his downfield passing game, which should allow Ridley’s vertical threat to shine this season.
Ridley set the school’s single-season freshman receiving record with 1,045 yards on 89 receptions during the 2015 season. While he was forced to take a step back last year, he kept his composure, never showing any frustration. That collected approach allowed him to form a bond with Hurts, his roommate, and should pay off this season as the two could combine for one of the most deadly quarterback/receiver combos in the SEC.