Alabama 2014 Position Preview: Receivers and Tight Ends
As we inch closer to the 2014 Alabama football season, it’s time to take a look at each and every position on the Crimson Tide squad, breaking down man-to-man what we can expect and look forward to this year.
Previous Previews:
Receivers/Tight ends
Key Departures: Kenny Bell (graduation), Kevin Norwood (NFL Draft/graduation)
Returning Players: Amari Cooper, DeAndrew White, Christion Jones, ArDarius Stewart, Robert Foster, Raheem Falkins, Chris Black, OJ Howard, Kurt Freitag, Malcolm Faciane
Key Additions: Cameron Sims (freshman), Derek Kief (freshman), Ty Flournoy-Smith (transfer)
Breakthrough Players to Watch: Chris Black, Robert Foster, OJ Howard
Simply put, the Alabama Crimson Tide is loaded at receiver. Although “Mr. Clutch” Kevin Norwood and Kenny Bell are no longer part of the explosive Alabama receiver group, the remaining players are some of the most talented skill players in the country.
Amari Cooper may be the best receiver in the entire nation, and after a very slow start to 2013 due to a variety of injuries, he exploded in the second half of the season looking even better than the freshman All-American he was in 2012.
Cooper’s career thus far has been very reminiscent of the legendary Julio Jones. Jones exploded for a record-setting freshman year, but a variety of injuries – as well as a new quarterback – led to a slump in his sophomore season.
Jones rebounded for a monster junior campaign, which is exactly what Cooper will be looking to do in 2014, while also working with a new quarterback.
Cooper is an excellent route runner with terrific hands and surprising speed, making for a dangerous combination at the receiver position.
DeAndrew White and Christion Jones are the other two established playmakers at receiver, and combined with Cooper will give whoever the QB ends up being some nice tools to use.
White had to deal with injuries that kept him out of spring practices, but he should be back 100 percent for the fall. He made a habit of making circus catches last year and his great hands, combined with blazing speed, make him one of the most dangerous deep threats in the SEC.
Jones meanwhile, is one of the best athletes on the team and it will be very interesting to see how Lane Kiffin uses him this season. He is most effective from the slot, but Kiffin will likely look to get him involved in a number of ways, including running the ball as well as his job as a kick returner.
Outside of those established receivers, Alabama has a crop of unbelievably talented youngsters champing at the bit for playing time.
Chris Black is a speed demon that few cornerbacks will be able to keep up with and Robert Foster has all the makings of an elite receiver in the SEC. Both players had a great spring, and made eye-opening catches during A-Day, especially Foster. It will be interesting to see how many opportunities the two get in the fall, along with incoming freshman Cameron Sims, who looked like anything but a freshman during spring practices.
O.J. Howard is unquestionably one of the most talented tight ends in the country, and with his combination of shocking speed, size, and great hands, he is a matchup nightmare for defenses.
Alabama has worked with Howard to improve his blocking skills, and with that added dynamic to his game he can truly be a dangerous weapon. Howard can line up in the slot or outside, and on the goal line he could be the worst matchup possible for a defense. This looks to be a breakout year for the sophomore, and it is going to be exciting to see how Kiffin uses him.
Brian Vogler is unquestionably the best blocking tight end on the team, and he’s also a solid receiver. He and Howard make a terrific combination of tight ends for Alabama, while incoming transfer Ty Flournoy-Smith and veteran Malcolm Faciane are likely more blocking tight ends than anything and will provide more run blocking help.
Alabama may very well have one of the best group of receivers and tight ends in the SEC once again.