Jermaine Burton has declared for the NFL Draft after two seasons playing for the Alabama Football team. In his two seasons for the Alabama Football team, Jermaine Burton recorded 79 catches for 1,475 yards and 15 touchdowns. Burton led the Alabama Football team this season with 39 catches for 798 yards and eight touchdowns. He joined the team following the 2021 season when his Georgia Bulldogs beat the Alabama Football team in the National Championship. He became a steady target in 2022 for Bryce Young after the team lost Jameson Williams and John Metchie to the NFL Draft.
This season was by far Jermaine Burton's best season while on the Alabama Football team. Burton led the receiving core while building chemistry with Jalen Milroe. He exploded onto the scene against Texas A&M as he and Jalen Milroe finally started to click, Burton caught nine passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Burton quickly became the go-to deep play threat for Jalen Milroe.
The departure of Jermaine Burton to the NFL and Malik Benson's transfer create a massive void at wide receiver with plenty of talent as viable options to replace them. The fan-favorite option will be talented incoming freshman Ryan Williams. At just 16 years old Williams will sign on his 17th birthday and has the talent to become an all-time great for the Alabama Football team. We've seen freshmen make massive impacts recently with Caleb Downs and Will Anderson Jr.
The name that will be penciled into a starting role will be Junior Kobe Prentice. Prentice played significant playing time as a freshman down the stretch before seeing a downtick in his sophomore season. He filled a big role this season when Jermaine Burton missed the Kentucky game with an illness. Kendrick Law will certainly see an increase in playing time as he did while the season progresses. We'll likely see Law play either the slot or used in a variety of ways with how versatile his skill set is.
There are several other options with incoming freshmen and returnees as well of lesser notoriety. Jalen Hale will certainly be an option as he flashed his talent in limited playing time catching a touchdown against Ole Miss. Another trio of incoming freshmen could excite in camp earning significant playing time in Rico Scott, Aeryn Hampton, and Amari Jefferson. The final name to watch is a true dark horse to may but, he's one of the fastest players in the country. That player is Emmanuel Henderson Jr who could become the team's deep ball threat and free up Isaiah Bond to work more intermediate and quick routes as he gains the most separation on the team.
The most likely combination we see at receiver in 2024 is Isaiah Bond, Kobe Prentice, and Kendrick Law. I'd expect to see the most experienced trio starting for the Alabama Football team. We will likely see Jalen Hale as the fourth receiver, as he has more experience and flashed his talent this season. Ryan Williams will certainly play a role in 2024. We'll just have to wait to see him in camp.
Alabama Football: Big Roles to be filled
In spring and summer camp there will be big roles that have to be filled for this year's Alabama Football team. The team has to replace its top two edge rushers, its top two cornerbacks, its leading receiver, center, and possibly two of its top running backs. At most of these positions, no clear front-runner is making for an exciting off-season to follow. This also makes for a strong possibility Nick Saban will make a massive push in the transfer portal to bring in experienced players to offset the lack of experience in the group.