Alabama Football position of need: Wide receiver class update

Alabama football is looking to land another wide receiver in the 2023 class, but there isn’t room for much more than that. After landing five speedy receivers in the 2022 class, the Alabama football roster is pretty loaded with young pass-catching talent.

The current roster also consists of no senior wide receivers. In theory, everyone that is currently on the depth chart could return next season, but history tells us at least one or two guys will have a big year and enter the 2023 NFL draft. The most likely pair to do so would be Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton and fellow junior Traeshon Holden.

Louisville transfer Tyler Harrell and the often-overlooked Thaiu Jones-Bell are also in the junior class. Like Burton and Holden, they could turn pro if they have good seasons, but both are very unproven. Until they show otherwise, I expect them to be back on the roster in 2023.

Ja’Corey Brooks and slot receivers Jojo Earle and Christian Leary joined Alabama football in the 2021 class, and will not be draft eligible after this season.

Kobe Prentice, Isaiah Bond, Aaron Anderson, Shazz Preston, and Kendrick Law make up the true freshmen class. Some of these guys may contribute in 2022 and others may redshirt. Barring transfer, they will all be back on the roster next season.

Alabama Football: 2023 class outlook

Alabama Football currently has two commits in the 2023 class, and hopes to add one more. The good news is that the Crimson Tide will already be so deep at receiver next year that it should not need instant impact play from its true freshmen in 2023.

One of its commits, however, will be held to a different standard. JUCO product Malik Benson will be expected to contribute immediately. Benson is the top overall JUCO prospect in the class and should add speed and experience to the receiver room.

The only other commit is Cole Adams, a 4-star recruit who projects as a slot receiver. Adams is undersized, but has good speed with a track background and has good long-term potential.

At a glance, one might think Alabama football has had a relative down year recruiting wide receivers. In reality, however, the loaded 2022 class that the Crimson Tide brought in reduced the need for a ton of receivers in 2023.

The Tide would like to add one more 2023 freshman wide receiver, preferably a bigger-bodied outside receiver to complement Adams’ slot skill set. Alabama is still in the mix for 4-star Jalen Hale and 3-star Jaren Hamilton, as well as 4-star athlete Demitrius Bell.

Bell, who is expected to play wide receiver at the college level, recently decommitted from Michigan State and reopened his recruitment. Hale, the highest ranked of Alabama’s remaining receiver targets, will announce his commitment on September 22nd. He is assumed to be deciding between Alabama and Texas.

Alabama football: How receiver room will look in 2023

Alabama should be fortunate to have some returning receiver production next year. The two-deep rotation could consist of Ja’Corey Brooks, Christian Leary, Jojo Earle, Tyler Harrell, Thaiu Jones-Bell, and Malik Benson. Whichever guys have the greatest impact of the five receivers in Alabama’s 2022 class will also insert themselves into this conversation.

Alabama football should continue to have good receiver play for the next two seasons. It will likely pursue another large haul at the position in the 2024 class with at least six draft eligible guys on the 2023 roster.