Alabama Football: Javon Baker next great Bama receiver
By Cody LaDue
Mark it down, Alabama Football WR, Javon Baker will be great
Alabama football has produced many wide receivers as of late. Not many freshman wide receivers come in and play at Alabama however. It’s not easy to crack an Alabama depth chart. Julio Jones was one who played a vital part as a freshman. Calvin Ridley as well played in 15 games as a freshman, But neither Jeudy, Ruggs or Smith played vital key time in games as freshmen. With the departures of Jeudy and Ruggs to the NFL, one of the freshmen could come in and get playing time as a number three. Returning players, John Methchie and Slade Bolden are the favorites to land that spot. But, if you know Javon Baker, you know he has arguably the hardest work ethic of any wide receiver in the room.
I’ve been watching Baker since his junior year at McEachern in Georgia. And three things about him pop out. His work ethic is second to no one. Javon Baker will outwork anyone. His route running ability is elite for an incoming freshman. Lastly, his hands are amazing. Javon catches just about everything thrown his way. If the ball is coming to him, quarterbacks can feel good about the outcome. It’s either Baker coming down with the catch or no one will.
The one downside to his game is concern about his speed. Quickly, under Matt Rhea, Baker has increased his speed. Enough so much that Rhea made it well known Javon is much faster than people believed.
It’s well known now that Alabama football has developed some elite wide receivers since Nick Saban became the head coach. Javon is on the fast track to be yet another one. I mean not many freshmen can burn an NFL, All-Pro cornerback with his route running.
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Steve Sarkisian will have plenty of weapons and Javon Baker will be one of them during the 2020 season.
In my opinion, Javon Baker is the next great wide receiver at Alabama and will be high on the Alabama depth chart. He has been spending extra time catching balls thrown by Bryce Young. Everyone knows of the value for a quarterback having chemistry with a receiver. Based on that building trust, it’s almost for certain Bryce Young to Javon Baker will excite Alabama football fans for years to come.