Alabama recruiting board: Quarterback | Running Back | Receiver

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Alabama will return to the practice field Friday as it begins preparations for its Sugar Bowl matchup against Clemson on Jan. 1. The two teams will meet for the third straight year in what will be a rematch of the past two national championship games.

In both games, Alabama benefited from somewhat unlikely heroes. Underutilized tight end O.J. Howard had the best two games of his college career against Clemson. He recorded five receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting and was also Alabama’s leading receiver in last season’s game with four catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.

The Crimson Tide benefited from a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown by backup running back Kenyan Drake two seasons ago, while linebacker Rashaan Evans recorded 11 tackles and .5 sacks in just his second-career start last season.

With that in mind, here are five players who could step up in a similar fashion in this year’s game:

Damien Harris leads Alabama's running backs with just 9.17 carries per game. Barring a drastic change, its unlikely one of the Crimson Tide's back gets the bulk of the carries against Clemson. However, that doesn’t mean a running back won't be able to steal the show.

Given Josh Jacobs’ versatility, he’s a prime candidate to do just that. The 5-foot-10, 212-pound sophomore has been Alabama’s change-of-pace back, using his shifty, explosive style to compliment Harris and Bo Scarbrough. Jacobs is also Alabama’s best receiving option out of the backfield, tallying 12 receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns.

Jacobs has been used in two-back sets several times this season, coming across the field for jet sweeps or setting up screen passes. He can also be used as a decoy to prevent opposing defenses from cheating to one side. Against Clemson, his ability to slip free in the passing game might set up a few crucial big plays.

It has been a somewhat frustrating freshman season for Jerry Jeudy who came to Alabama rated as the No. 3 wide receiver and No. 19 overall player in the 2017 class. Calvin Ridley has more than four times as many receptions than any other Alabama receiver with 55 for 896 yards. By comparison, Jeudy is second on the team with 13 receptions for 244 yards.

Alabama will still want to get Ridley the ball, but it can’t afford to be that reliant on one receiver against a stout Clemson defense. That was the problem during Alabama’s 26-14 defeat to Auburn earlier this season when Ridley was targeted seven times, more than three times as often than any other Crimson Tide receiver. Auburn limited Ridley to 38 yards on three catches by focusing extra attention on him and forcing Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts to turn to other options. Hurts struggled to go through his progressions and was often unable to find open receivers under constant pressure.

The sophomore quarterback will need to do better against a Clemson pass rush that leads the nation with 44 sacks through 13 games. However, in Jeudy he might have another ace up his sleeve. The freshman receiver demonstrated his playmaking ability with an acrobatic 36-yard touchdown grab against Auburn. Plays like that are nothing new as Jeudy has six catches of 15 or more yards this season.

If the past two national championships have taught us anything it’s not to forget about the tight end position. Could Howard’s combined 314 yards and three touchdowns in Alabama’s two previous meetings against Clemson be foreshadowing a similar breakout performance from another Crimson Tide tight end?

If so, Irv Smith Jr. is the most likely candidate. The 6-foot-4, 246-pound sophomore is Alabama’s best pass-catching tight end, tallying 122 yards and three touchdowns on 13 receptions.

Given his receiving ability, Smith can be placed both at the line or out wide, giving Hurts another option if Clemson decides to double-team Ridley. The tight end could also cause matchup problems coming over the middle for quick slants. Those types of routes should help Hurts get the ball out quick and avoid pressure.

Mack Wilson seemed on the cusp of a breakout season after recording interceptions in back-to-back games against Arkansas and Tennessee. However, that momentum was soon wiped out as the sophomore linebacker broke a bone in his foot against LSU. Wilson progressed nicely from the injury and was able to return for Alabama’s game against Auburn three weeks later, albeit not at 100 percent.

Wilson should be completely recovered from the injury by the time Alabama plays Clemson, giving the Crimson Tide reason to be optimistic he will be back to his previous star form. Wilson should get the starting nod for Shaun Dion Hamilton who broke his kneecap against LSU. That means the sophomore might be tasked with the important role of spying Kelly Bryant, Clemson’s dual-threat quarterback.

Bryant has completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,678 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has been even better with his legs, recording 646 yards and 11 touchdowns on 173 carries. If Wilson is able to contain Bryant on the ground, he might be able to force him into a few mistakes through the air. That’s an area where the linebacker can take advantage of as he shares the team lead with three interceptions.

Former walk-on Hunter Renfrow has tormented Alabama the past two seasons. Last season the 5-foot-10, 180-pound receiver had a career-high 10 catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns including the game-winning score with one second remaining. The year before he tallied two more touchdowns to go with 88 yards on seven receptions.

Might this season be Alabama’s turn to see one of its former walk-ons shine? Senior cornerback Levi Wallace leads the Crimson Tide with 12 pass breakups and is tied for a team lead with three interceptions. The former walk-on has allowed just 22 receptions despite being targeted 55 times this season, leaving opposing quarterbacks with a 37.5 passer rating when they throw his way.

Alabama will look to shut down Clemson’s running game and force Bryant into tough throws. If the Crimson Tide is able to do that, it will be up to Wallace to make a few big plays. Fortunately for Alabama, that’s something he’s done all season long.

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