Bold predictions for Alabama football’s special teams
Jaylen Waddle will score two touchdowns on special teams
Waddle is the most electric punt returner in college football, and he’s a threat to make a house call on every punt or kickoff. While some teams will try to punt away from him, it will be too hard to always do this. He will eventually have someone kick his way, and he will make them pay.
Even with a shortened season, I believe that Waddle will score more than once on returns. He has the green light to make a return every time the ball is kicked, and he has the talent to get away from the first tackler. Once he gets some green grass in front of him, he’s ready to score six.
Although I have said on the record that Waddle should not return punts in every game for his own health, he is listed as a starter for returns. If he’s out there, he’s liable to score.
Alabama’s punting woes will continue
Alabama hasn’t had a great punter since JK Scott went to the NFL. Those issues will carry on in 2020. On the preliminary depth chart, Alabama listed three potential starters at punter. He might only bring one or two against Missouri, but all will likely get a chance to punt in home games.
The punting game did not matter as much last year with Alabama’s potent offense, but it will in 2020. When you combine Alabama’s new offensive philosophy of playing the game of ball position and the young secondary on defense, fifteen yards of field position could make a major difference. For at least the beginning of the year, Alabama football will have to settle for weak punts.
Alabama football is poised to achieve all of its 2020 goals, but it partially depends on special teams. Thankfully, they have a lot of positives to pull from this aspect of the game.