Given how easy it is for players to move on and how often doing so is profitable, patience is a diminishing quality in college football. Fortunately for Alabama Football, Kendrick Law has an abundance of patience.
Many Alabama Crimson Tide fans are concerned the 2024 Alabama football offense will waste Kendrick Law again. Law is in his third Crimson Tide season. Other than as a kick returner, he has been underutilized. It is unfair to accuse Bill O-Brien and Tommy Rees of incompetence for their failures to feature Law in their offenses.
In Law's 27 Alabama games, he has caught more than two passes in a game only twice. He had three receptions at Ole Miss in 2022 and caught three passes in last season's Iron Bowl. His career total is 24 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown. This season he has one reception for 22 yards against Western Kentucky.
Law gets plenty of snaps. He is by far, the Crimson Tide's best downfield blocker. His blocks are key to Alabama's offensive success. He could do much more with the ball in his hands. Law has a rare combination for a receiver. He is fast enough to outrun many defenders and strong enough to run through almost all of them.
Alabama Football OC Nick Sheridan praises Kendrick Law
Law being underutilized by the Crimson Tide does not mean he is underappreciated. On Monday Alabama Football OC, Nick Sheridan said, "I thought he played fantastic in the (Wisconsin) game. He was very physical on the perimeter. He is somebody that is important to our offense and we know the impact he will have with the ball and without the ball. We think he is an excellent football player. He is good with the ball in his hands, but what is so special about him in addition to that is how exceptional he is without the ball. That is the making of a great football player, which we think he is."
Such deserved praise suggests Sheridan and Kalen DeBoer may have been sandbagging a bit with Law. The Georgia defense knows it must account for Law. Knowing when to account for him, and from where on the field can challenge the Georgia Bulldogs.
Check out what Law's position coach JaMarcus Shephard had to say on Thursday.
“Kendrick Law is gonna do that down and dirty work. He’s gonna be that junkyard dog.”@CoachShephard @KendrickLaw2 pic.twitter.com/5kEJOiuBKi
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) September 19, 2024
Alabama will need some junkyard dogs against the Dawgs. No doubt Kendrick Law will be one. Maybe he also, for the first time in his Alabama career will have more opportunities to stand out for his other tremendous skills.