Alabama Football: Early entry surprise and transfer trim Tide WR group

The rebuild of the Alabama Football 2022 roster is moving rapidly. Eight players from the 2021 roster are now in The Transfer Portal. The most recent is wide receiver, Javon Baker. Based on the 247Sports Composite, Javon Baker was a 4-Star recruit in the 2020 class. In his two Crimson Tide seasons, he played in 21 games and had nine receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown. The 6’2″, 206-pound receiver has the potential to become a solid contributor for a new Power Five team.

More attrition in the Crimson Tide’s wide receiver came with a decision that surprised most Alabama football fans. It was learned on Friday Slade Bolden has chosen NFL early-entry. Bolden has been a valuable Crimson Tide player as a possession receiver and punt returner. His contribution to the team has not always been acknowledged by Alabama Crimson Tide fans. In Bolden’s four-season Alabama football career, he participated in 42 games. As a receiver, he caught 68 passes for 712 yards and four touchdowns. He also had six rushes for a total of 11 yards and one thrown pass, completed for six yards.

Bolden’s decision makes sense, in that another year of college play, likely would not have improved his Draft chances. In addition, the young man has earned multiple degrees in Tuscaloosa and has no need for another academic year. If drafted, Bolden will go in a late-round. Or, he might have to work his way into the NFL as an undrafted free agent (UFA). Draft history shows UFAs have a somewhat higher rate of success making an NFL squad than players chosen in the last round.

With no announced decision yet by John Metchie III, the 2022 Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver group is 12 players. After his injury, Metchie is projected as a late second or third-round pick. If he might slide even more into the fourth round, another college year would be a sound business decision. UPDATED – John Metchie has decided to move to the NFL.

With Metchie’s departure, the 2022 Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver group has 11 players. There may be more departures and possibly a transfer addition.

After Metchie’s decision, next season’s scholarship count is down to 87 players. While the Crimson Tide is technically able to add 32 new players for the 2022 season, the overall scholarship limit is unchanged at 85 players.