As the college football season approaches, all eyes are on the Alabama Football program and more specifically, the Tide wide receiver room. Led by a mix of veterans and rising stars, this talented group has the potential to reshape the team’s offense under new OC Tommy Rees. Let’s take a closer look at the current Crimson Tide wide receiver room and what fans can expect from the wideouts this year.
Alabama’s wide receiver room is one of its biggest question marks heading into the 2023 season. With a mix of newcomers and vets, the group is deeply talented with a lot of potential just waiting to be unleashed.
Alabama added four wideouts this past cycle, with some expecting to have an impact right away.
Malik Benson was the number one JUCO player available last cycle and is expected by some to have an immediate impact in Tuscaloosa. Benson had 2,206 yards and 21 TDs in his two seasons at Hutchinson Community College. The 6’1 wide receiver from Lansing, Kansas ran in the low 10.4s in the 100-meter dash in high school. Coach Nick Saban was impressed with Benson this spring, saying “Benson’s had a really, really good spring and is capable of stretching the field and making big plays.” The speedy wideout gives OC Tommy Rees another great vertical threat on offense.
The Crimson Tide also added Jalen Hale, the number 6 wideout in the 2023 class. Hale had 3,165 yards and 41 TDs in his four years at Longview High School in Texas. Hale was a three-sport athlete in high school, finishing his sophomore and junior seasons with respectable long jump and 200-meter numbers. The standout wide receiver should see the field early and adds big play ability to an already talented group.
The Tide also added two more wideouts in Jaren Hamilton and Cole Adams. Hamilton has high potential and should see a ton of development under WR coach Holmon Wiggins. Adams was the number 5 recruit in the state of Oklahoma and joins an already deep wide receiver room.
Alabama returns upperclassmen Ja’Corey Brooks and Jermaine Burton. Brooks and Burton were WR1 and WR2 for the Tide last year, and are looking to have their best years yet this upcoming season. Brooks has taken on a bigger role since the departure of Jameson Williams and John Metchie, finishing last year with 674 yards and 8 TDs. Burton was one of the Tide’s biggest gets in the transfer portal last year. After transferring from Georgia, Burton finished the year with 677 Yards and seven touchdowns. The talented WR duo has high expectations coming into the season, and look for them to have big seasons in this make-it-or-break-it year.
Alabama Football Sophomore Studs
The Tide also returns electric sophomores Isaiah Bond, Kendrick Law, and Kobe Prentice. Bond had 220 yards and one touchdown last year and is in line to be the next great Alabama WR. Coach Saban had good things to say about Bond, saying “Isaiah Bond has had a really good spring and has done a really good job.” Bond was the number 2 athlete in the 2022 recruiting class, and is looking to come into his own this year. Fans should look for Bond to have a big year this season with new OC Tommy Rees. With his speed and playmaking ability, he has one of the highest upsides of any player on the offense.
Sophomore Kendrick Law is another Alabama Football wideout to keep your eyes on this year. Law only had eight receptions for 103 yards last season, but he has tremendous upside and is going to have a much bigger role in the offense this season. His speed and springy athleticism make him hard to keep off the field, and he could see a big role in third-down situations. Law was the number three athlete in the 2022 recruiting class. With his running back-like build, we could see OC Tommy Rees use some unique packages for Law, A la Deebo Samuel.
Alabama also brings back sophomore Kobe Prentice. Prentice had the best season of any of the freshmen last season, finishing with 337 yards and three touchdowns. Kobe’s best game of the season last year came against Arkansas, where he had 92 yards and a touchdown. Prentice has big play ability with his good change of direction and great burst. Kobe will be one of the three sophomores looking to step up this year for Alabama.
Although the Alabama Football WR room poises a ton of questions, the room receiver room is brimming with talent, experience, and potential. With experienced leaders guiding talented newcomers, their offensive prowess should undoubtedly be a highlight of the team’s performance this season. The combination of skill, speed, and playmaking ability has fans eagerly awaiting an electrifying season from the Tide wideouts.