Alabama Football: Locksley inherits the keys to a potent Alabama offense
By Ronald Moody
Alabama football possesses the best offensive talent assembled on campus under head coach Alabama football head coach Nick Saban. New offensive coordinator Michael Locksley will ensure the offense scores in bunches.
In the 2017 national championship game, Alabama football lost the national championship with one second remaining on the clock.
However, the 2016 Alabama football offense averaged 455.3 yards per game. The offensive output of 6,829 yards was the most since Saban’s arrival in 2007. While the historic 2016 defense gained national attention as a stifling defense with the ability to create scores of their own, the offense was dynamic in its own right. In addition, Kiffin’s squad tied for 15th with 38.8 points per game, the highest under Saban.
Former offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin had the Tide’s offense running like a well-oiled machine with true freshman Jalen Hurts at the helm. Hurts went on to win the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He was the first true freshman since Herschel Walker in 1982 to accomplish this feat. Additionally, the Houston native was also the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Alabama since Vince Sutton in 1984.
The dazzling quarterback passed for 2,780 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He added 954 rushing yards were second best on the team. Running backs Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough rushed for 1,037 and 812 yards, respectively. Ardarius Stewart, Calvin Ridley, and O.J. Howard was home run threats whenever they received the ball from Hurts.
Extreme confidence in Alabama football’s returning units
Returning senior running back Damien Harris is one of the nation’s top running backs. He has quietly produced back to back 1,000-yard seasons.
Talented sophomores Brian Robinson and Najee Harris would start for most teams in the country. Robinson was a handful for the Tide’s defense in the spring game. Harris effectively ran the ball in the fourth quarter of the national championship game helping the team mount a stunning comeback victory against the Georgia Bulldogs. All-purpose junior running back Josh Jacobs’s shifty running style will be needed as he is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Sophomore wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Devonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III contributed heavily during the championship season. All three receivers averaged over 18 yards per catch and together caught 11 touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Tyrell Shavers and true freshman Jaylen Waddle expect to be tough to contain in the fall.
Junior tight end Irv Smith Jr. returns with 14 receptions and three touchdowns. He provided Hurts a security blanket in the red zone. Major Tennison, Miller Forristall, and Kedric James are potential targets for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The offensive line is key to success
The offensive line could become one of Saban’s best in Tuscaloosa. Starting left tackle Jonah Williams deemed a sure-fire NFL first rounder, will be back to lead the fight in the trenches. Center Ross Pierschbacher will step in and fill All-SEC Bradley Bozeman’s position. Guard Lester Cotton is a stalwart in the trenches. Offensive tackle Matt Womack missed the spring game due to surgery but will be ready for preseason camp. Right guard is up for grabs, and either sophomore Jedrick Wills or Alex Leatherwood will step in. The talented sophomore Leatherwood successfully filled in for Williams in the championship game and did remarkably well.
Not new to being an offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator Michael Locksley is taking the reins from prior coordinator Brian Daboll, who bolted for the Buffalo Bills. Locksley’s third stint running an offense will be crucial to the Tide’s success.
Locksley flourished at the University of Illinois. His offense went over 5,000 total yards and 3,000 yards rushing in 2007. He groomed Rashad Mendenhall and Arrelious Benn into Big Ten All-Conference players. Before taking over as coordinator, the Fighting Illini ranked 72nd in the nation in total offense. Upon his departure, they finished in the top 20.
During his tenure at Maryland, he was able to turn around the Terrapins offense. The offense went well over 5,000 yards for only the fourth time in Maryland’s history. While the running game excelled in Illinois, the passing game opened up while he was in College Park.
In 2013, Locksley’s passing attack produced 3,231 yards which are the third highest in the school’s history.
Michael Locksley has never been in charge of an offense with this much talent. As a result, he has always had to do more with less. Therefore this season, he will possess talent on top of talent.
Whoever plays quarterback seals the deal
Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts are two quarterbacks any head coach in the nation would covet.
Once Tua entered the game against Georgia in the College Football Playoff Championship, the offense appeared graceful. The lefty quarterback gave the offense balance thus not allowing the Bulldogs to put nine guys in the box.
Tua presented a threat to pass the ball accurately downfield, opening up the running game for the Tide. Finally, he was evasive in the pocket and could read through his progressions effectively.
See video below for the balance he brings to Alabama football:
Nick Saban despises turnovers. There is a small chance that Tua is a turnover machine. Hurts is a steady performer who will not turn the ball over.
Furthermore, the junior did only throw one interception last year in 254 attempts for a 150.75 passer rating. Seems like whenever the opportunity presents itself, he would instead tuck the ball and run than throw an errant pass.
Most of all, Tagovailoa is a once in a generation quarterback that gives Alabama the ability to seal any college football team’s fate for the national title.
Next: Let's End The Ridiculous Debate Between Alabama and UCF
Hence, Saban has a difficult decision to make that most people would not want. The offense has the opportunity to be his best in Tuscaloosa.
Ultimately, the million dollar question comes down to will the head coach be comfortable enough to allow Tua to open up the offense or let the quarterback manage just enough to win the game.