As we enter the 2021 Alabama Football season, there are arguably no group on the offensive side of the ball more experienced than the tight ends.
Yes, even after losing starter Miller Forristall and Carl Tucker from a year ago, this group has seen plenty of on-field action at times over the past two seasons, and should continue to excel going into the 2021 campaign.
Alabama Football 2021 Season Preview: Tight Ends
Alabama’s tight end group is led by one clear player who is arguably one of the best tight ends in all of college football.
Jahleel Billingsley
Class: Junior
HT/WT: 6’4, 230 LBs.
Hometown: Chicago, IL
High School: Phillips Academy
Number: 19
There is no denying as to whom will be Alabama’s top tight end entering the 2021 season, it’s junior Jahleel Billingsley. Billingsley really developed into one of the top pass catching tight ends in college football toward the end of last season finishing the year with 287 yards (fifth most on the team) and three TD’s on 18 receptions, 14 of which went for either a first down or touchdown.
It truly was a breakout sophomore season for Billingsley a year ago, as he even returned five kickoffs for the Crimson Tide for a total of 89 yards. During his two seasons so far in Tuscaloosa, Billingsley has 20 career receptions for 303 yards and three TD’s, along with one rushing attempt and five kickoff returns.
Going into the 2021 season, we might not see as much of Billingsley on kickoff returns with Alabama’s wide receiver depth, but the success in the receiving game should continue for the junior tight end. A matchup nightmare at the tight end position, expect Billingsley to line up all-over the field in new OC Bill O’Brien’s offense en route to a career season for one of the top tight ends in all of college football.
Prediction for 2021 Season Stat Line:
40 catches, 500 yards, 5 TD