Alabama Football: Three more pass-catchers on the rise
The hottest name in Alabama’s wide receiver room right now is true freshman Jalen Hale. Hale had a coming out party against Ole Miss, making a 30-yard catch followed by a 33-yarder for his first career touchdown. His emergence gives Bama another big-play option in the passing game, and it will be interesting to see what else he can provide, assuming his role continues to expand.
JUCO transfer Malik Benson was one of the more highly-anticipated offseason additions for this Alabama offense. The top junior college prospect in the 2023 cycle, Benson is known primarily as a deep-threat, but he has yet to show it this season. Still, he has made some athletic grabs in clutch situations. His two catches against Texas included a 4th down conversion and a 27-yard grab to convert a 3rd & 17. For the year, Malik Benson has four catches for 38 yards.
Finally, sophomore Kendrick Law could see his role increase before the year is up. Law is probably the most physical member of the receiver room, and drew a lot of praise in the offseason and going back to his freshman year.
He made his first two catches of the season against Ole Miss for a total of 11 yards. Despite not making a significant impact as a receiver thus far, Law has been an excellent downfield blocker and a special teams standout for Alabama Football. He is a pure football player, and his attitude and effort will continue to keep him on the field, meaning his opportunities to make plays will only grow.
This is a deep and talented wide receiver room that I believe has only scratched the surface of its potential. As it continues to grow, it will instill more and more balance into the Alabama offense, while also assisting in the development of young quarterback Jalen Milroe.