Alabama Football 2021 Season Preview: Wide Receivers
By Matt Melton
If you were to pick one position group in particular for Alabama Football that has the biggest hole to fill from last season to now, the wide receivers would be a popular choice.
Not only will the Crimson Tide have to replace 2020 Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, but also Jaylen Waddle, both of whom are two of the best wide receivers in Alabama history. Despite the level of production that Alabama will have to replace, this should be an easy task for one of the deepest wide receiver groups in the country.
Alabama Football 2021 Season Preview: Wide Receivers
While one could argue that this group of wide receivers are inexperienced, there is no denying who the top target is for the Crimson Tide entering the 2021 season.
John Metchie III
Class: Junior
HT/WT: 6’0, 195 LBs.
Hometown: Brampton, Canada
High School: St. James School (MD)
Number: 8
After enjoying a massive breakout season a year ago for the Crimson Tide, John Metchie III now returns for his junior season as the leader of this talented wide receiver group. Catching 55 passes last season, Metchie ranked second on the team with 916 receiving yards and six TD’s, as well as ranking seventh in the SEC with an average of 16.7 yards per catch.
As mentioned before, Metchie enjoyed a massive breakout season a year ago. A former four-star recruit, Metchie quickly burst onto the scene with an impressive A-Day in 2019, and then backed that up by appearing in all 13 games during his freshman season totaling 23 yards on four catches in a deep Alabama wide receiver room.
Metchie emerged as a potent deep-threat last season for this Crimson Tide offense, with 35 of his 55 catches (64%) resulting in either a first down or touchdown. A legit preseason candidate to win the Biletnikoff Award, the junior wideout should play a similar role for the Crimson Tide once again this season, as well as potentially emerging as a go-to target for new Alabama QB Bryce Young.
Prediction for 2021 Season Stat Line:
75 catches, 1,300 yards, 10 TD