Alabama Football Game Day: Good test for Tide corners

Alabama football opens its season today against the Utah State Aggies. The Aggies return Logan Bonner, one of the nation’s more underrated quarterbacks, for his sixth season of eligibility.

Bonner transferred to Utah State from Arkansas State last season and made an immediate impact. For the year, he threw for 3,628 yards and 36 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. In the Aggies’ first game of 2022 against UConn, he threw for an efficient 281 yards and three scores with no picks. In his career, Bonner has tossed for over 7,000 yards, to go with 69 touchdowns and only 21 interceptions.

Logan Bonner looks to lead the Aggie offense against Alabama, but he will do so without his three favorite receivers from last season. Deven Thompkins was one of the nation’s top receivers, hauling in 102 passes for 1,704 yards and ten touchdowns. Brandon Bowling and Derek Wright were major contributors as well, both recording double-digit touchdown receptions. However, Utah State still has some skilled pass catchers on the edge.

Alabama Football: Top Aggie receivers

Justin McGriff is the leading returning receiver and may be poised for a breakout season. He is physically imposing at 6’6” and 215 pounds. Alabama football has a lot of length at corner, but a matchup nightmare like McGriff can present a challenge. He had 35 grabs for 414 yards and six touchdowns in 2021, and caught one of Bonner’s touchdown passes in week zero against the Huskies.

Brian Cobbs is a veteran wide receiver that played four years at the University of Maryland before transferring to Utah State. He caught 59 passes for 880 yards with the Terrapins, with most of that production coming from former Alabama quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. Cobbs caught eight passes for 108 yards and a touchdown in the Aggies season opener and figures to be a big part of their offense going forward.

The Utah State passing attack should provide a good challenge for Alabama football, which features a cornerback room that is still in flux. Sophomore Kool-Aid McKinstry and redshirt freshman Terrion Arnold are expected to get the start, while senior Khyree Jackson and junior Eli Ricks should factor in heavily.

This is an excellent opportunity for the young corners to get their feet wet, and work towards establishing the pecking order in a game situation. It should be a good test for the group before they face Texas next week. The Longhorns have more than their share of issues, but one thing they don’t lack is talented pass catchers.

Keep a close eye on the Alabama corners this evening, and don’t judge the group too harshly if they make a mistake or two.