Alabama Football: Are two late enrollees even better than A-Day MVP Jerry Jeudy?

Alabama football was an aerial explosion in the A-Day game. Are two freshmen summer enrollees even better than A-Day MVP Jerry Jeudy?

Alabama football fans loved the downfield passing exhibition of Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa during the A-Day game. The game featured more than 660 yards gained through the air. Jerry Jeudy looked like a veteran player and wowed the media into winning the MVP Dixie Howell award.

When we published our Post-Spring Depth Chart, we said Calvin Ridley and Robert Foster are locked into the first two receiver slots. We listed Jeudy and T. J. Simmons as wideouts 3A and 3B.

Behind those four, two more must rise to the top in the six-receiver rotation. Cam Sims and Xavian Marks have a chance to fill out the next two slots. Right behind them are freshmen early enrollees Tyrell Shavers and Chadarius Townsend. We also suggested Henry Ruggs, despite his summer arrival, will be very hard to keep off the field.

In the three weeks since we have new information. We need to amend our projection. We will explain below, but don’t be surprised if Ruggs and fellow summer arrival, freshman Devonta Smith beat out the more experienced players.

Henry Ruggs just blistered the 100-meter dash in the state track finals. Ruggs set a new state 7A record at 10.58 seconds. Instead of viewing video of Ruggs at the state meet, get to know him a little, compliments of al.com

The other summer arrival is Devonta Smith who Nick Saban snatched away from Coach O. Smith is another focused young man who recently tweeted his satisfaction of graduating No. 8 academically in his high school class. Here is the profile of Devonta we did on Signing Day.

Enough of what we think. Let’s hear from a real expert. Barton Simmons is Director of Scouting for 247Sports, a member of the US Army Bowl selection committee and a former college football safety for Yale. Simmons began covering football recruiting for Rivals.com in 2006.

In a recent 247 Sports column Simmons said Jeudy’s performance in the A-Day game did not surprise him, but:

"“Jeudy’s performance was no shock to me or anyone that followed his high school career.  My expectations for him are also high for the fall but I still contend that he’ll be the third-best receiver in Alabama’s 2017 recruiting class when all is said and done. The other two just aren’t on campus yet.”"

Simmons explains that neither Ruggs or Smith are full-time track athletes. How did Smith do this spring? He ran the 100-meter dash in 10.62 seconds. To put the Ruggs and Smith times in perspective, Calvin Ridley’s best 100-meter dash was 10.63 seconds.

Barton Simmons’ conclusion about Jeudy, Ruggs and Smith?

"“Per my own rankings in the Top247 for the class of 2017, Ruggs came out as the No. 1 wide receiver, with Smith at No. 3 and Jeudy at No. 5.”"

All we can say is oh my. Brian Daboll must feel like a four-year-old at Christmas. This summer and fall there will be some very fast young men, picking them up and laying them down in T-Town.

Next: Get to know the four new OC's the Tide will face in 2017

Throughout the spring we have discussed the exceptional depth on the 2017 Alabama football team. Running back and linebacker have received much of the attention. Add wide receiver to the list.