Alabama Football: Why WR is not a concern for the Crimson Tide

Some early predictions of Alabama Football position groups may have gone unnoticed. The reason why is the widespread coverage of the Crimson Tide’s supposed quarterback dilemma.

Two assessments of Alabama wideouts may have been missed. One can be seen below, predicting the Crimson Tide will have college football’s 10th-best group of wide receivers.

The Alabama Crimson Tide program and Alabama football fans are unaccustomed to such low regard.

If the ranking is accurate, not only is the Crimson Tide No. 10, but the Alabama secondary will receive frequent challenge. Based on the prediction, the Alabama defense could face up to five of the top nine wide receiver groups – all before any CFB Playoff games.

As discomforting as the predicted rankings may be, it is hard to argue Alabama opponents Texas and LSU are loaded at wide receiver. Thanks mainly to the Transfer Portal, Georgia is loaded as well. Last season Missouri’s Dominic Lovett was All-SEC and one of the top receivers in the conference. Along with Lovett, Georgia also added Rara Thomas who last season was Mississippi State’s top receiver in total yards.

Alabama fans can rightly debate Tennessee’s wide receiver group is rated too high. There is no guarantee Josh Huepel’s offense will not take a step back without Hendon Hooker and the Vols’ receivers, Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman.

After losing Chris Marshall, the Aggies have a talented trio, but there are two ifs in College Station. The main one is how well will the Jimbo-Petrino marriage work. The other is until he proves otherwise, Conner Weigman is only a 55.3% passer.

By the second half of the 2023 season, Crimson Tide receivers could legitimately be no lower than college football’s sixth-best, and maybe higher in effectiveness.

Alabama Football Doubts

More than other factors, doubts about the Crimson Tide’s passing offense are doubts about Alabama’s quarterback starter. Admittedly, the number of passes dropped in the A-Day game was troubling. But there is no deficiency in wide receiver talent in Tuscaloosa. The Tide’s 2023 wide receiver group may not set any team records, but that should not be a problem. Alabama is expected to establish and maintain a strong rushing attack. Performance by the wideouts will be key, but many Crimson Tide receptions will go to running backs and tight ends.

The main clue to the potential of the Tide’s wide receiver group comes from Nick Saban. Instead of turning to the Transfer Portal for more help, Nick Saban is content with what he has.