Alabama Football: Four guys and four ‘ifs’ for ’20 season

Alabama Football ‘If’ – Javon Baker 

Wide receiver rotation is not set for 2020. After Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith, others expected to be in a playing rotation are John Metchie and Slade Bolden. At least one more (even without injuries) wide receiver is needed in the rotation. That guy might be incoming freshman, Javon Baker. Baker is bigger than Waddle, Smitty, Metchie and Bolden. So is another incoming freshman, Traeshon Holden. Reportedly, what separates Baker is speed. Elite speed according to some Alabama football insiders. Some have suggested Baker could be as fast as Waddle. If he is that fast (and if he can also block), Baker can be a factor this fall.

Alabama Football ‘If’ – Ben Davis

A 5-Star recruit not measuring up to perceived potential is not new in Tuscaloosa. Most programs, fortunate enough to attract 5-Star talent, have such disappointments. When Ben Davis joined Alabama football in the 2016 class, he was considered a lock for future stardom. Rated as the No. 1, inside linebacker and the No. 5 player overall, it was thought the transition from lower classification Alabama high school football might take a couple of years.

No one dreamed it would take four years. One reason was because of his father, a Crimson Tide linebacking legend, Wayne Davis. Wayne and Ben have doubtless been disappointed. There is no evidence either has complained. More than a little credit should go to Ben for sticking it out.

Will 2020 see him finally play a meaningful role? Along with a few others, we included Ben in a wouldn’t it be great group for the coming season. Ben Davis can contribute on more than special teams if he reaches just a portion of his previously defined potential.

Maybe the stories might be less compelling, but other Tide players could be included in the list of four. Two of them are Tim Smith and Brian Branch.