🏈 Jaylen Waddle

[Alabama17Tide]

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Most Alabama fans haven’t seen Jaylen Waddle play. They haven’t seen him juke linebackers out of their cleats or make easy work of fellow five-star teammates during practice. Those Alabama fans are missing out.

“He’s been really fun to watch,” tight end Miller Forristall said. “He’s one of those new guys that has come in and, I think, done a very good job just doing what they are asking him to do.”

Waddle, a five-star freshman receiver from Houston, Texas, has yet to play a down in his college career but has been one of the most-mentioned players in Alabama’s preseason camp. The 5-foot-10, 177-pound dynamo tore up Alabama’s secondary during the second scrimmage this past weekend, and by the sound of it is poised to do the same to the Crimson Tide’s opponents this year.

Waddle’s last public appearance came during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he caught three passes for 52 yards, including the game-winning touchdown for Team West. The privileged few who watched him inside of Bryant-Denny Stadium over the weekend were treated to an even better performance as he hauled in two touchdowns and more than 100 yards through the air.

"He's very shifty and quick," receiver Jerry Jeudy said. "He's got elite speed, so that really helps him so that linebackers and safeties won't be able to touch him. So that really helps him get open."

According to Jeudy, that speed ranks right up there with anyone on the team. When asked to name Alabama’s fastest receiver, Jeudy couldn’t decide between Waddle or Henry Ruggs III. That’s lofty praise considering Ruggs won Alabama’s 7A state title in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.58 seconds and has been clocked at 4.35 in the 40-yard dash.

Hype is nothing new for Waddle, who comes to Alabama as the No. 7 receiver and No. 31 player overall in the 2018 class. By the looks of it, the young wideout has no problem with the spotlight. That was clear by his announcement on National Signing Day as he kept Alabama fans on the edge of their seats before giving the Crimson Tide a last-minute commitment.

Now that he’s here, he’ll look to finally put on the show everyone’s been waiting for.

"I feel like the biggest thing with him is just staying humble, don't really get into 'I need to do this, I need to do that,' just play his part and do what he needs to do when the time comes,” Ruggs said. "He's a guy that can make plays, you know, he's had a couple of good plays at practice, and he's a guy that can help us.”

Meet Jaylen Waddle, Alabama's next must-see freshman attraction | BamaInsider.com

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Going up against Alabama's talented receivers is a 'tough job'

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A lot has been made of Alabama’s young secondary this offseason. The Crimson Tide will need to replace its top six defensive backs, and times like this past Saturday’s scrimmage have shown how difficult that might be.

"We didn't play well today. They gave up a lot of big plays and made a lot of mental errors,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban bluntly stated following the scrimmage. “I'm not pointing out anybody or anything, but we need to do better. We need to play better as a group.”

That might be true, but Crimson Tide defensive backs won’t often face a challenge as daunting as the three-headed monster they were tasked with corralling inside of Bryant-Denny Stadium over the weekend. Alabama might have lost its three starting receivers from last season. However, the unit hasn’t lost a step with its new sophomore trio of Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith.

Alabama’s defensive backs know that from experience.

“They are the best receiving corps that we're going to face,” defensive back Shyheim Carter said. “Going up against them every day is a tough job.”

Jeudy is Alabama’s leading returner at receiver after hauling in 14 receptions for 264 yards and two touchdowns last season. The former five-star appears to be the next in line of South Florida receivers to lead the Crimson Tide, following Calvin Ridley and Amari Cooper.

“Last year it was more of a learning experience,” Jeudy said. “This year it’s just knowing how to get better and being more of a leader and helping the other guys.”

Then there’s soft-spoken Smith, who hasn’t received half the hype of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa despite playing an equal role in Alabama’s game-winning 41-yard touchdown in overtime of the national championship game. Other than being honored by a parade in his hometown of Amite, La., Smith says he’s still been able to keep a low profile off the field, something he’s perfectly fine with as he looks to build toward a breakout season.

“I moved on from that. I’m just focussing on this season and doing what I can this year,” Smith said. “That’s in the past, and there’s nothing I can do about that now.”

Ruggs, who set the Alabama state record in the 100-meter dash his senior year of high school, is the third member of the trio. He flashed that speed several times during a torrid stretch that saw him score touchdowns on his first five college receptions. Ruggs led Alabama with six touchdown receptions, including one in the national championship game.

Saturday’s scrimmage also foreshadowed a possible fourth prong to Alabama’s aerial attack as five-star freshman Jaylen Waddle stole the show with several acrobatic grabs. The 5-foot-10, 177-pound Houston, Texas native is built for the slot role and has the moves to terrorize defenders if he gets the ball in open space.

"I feel like the biggest thing with him is just staying humble, don't really get into 'I need to do this, I need to do that,' just play his part and do what he needs to do when the time comes,” Ruggs said. "He's a guy that can make plays, you know, he's had a couple of good plays at practice, and he's a guy that can help us.”

Alabama began preparation for its Sept. 1 season-opener against Louisville on Wednesday. The Crimson Tide will practice again Friday and Saturday before taking a day off heading into game week.

“I’ve been waiting a long time to finally play a different opponent except for ourselves,” Jeudy said. “Now that the time comes, it’s like it’s finally here.”

Alabama’s defensive backs share that same feeling.

Going up against Alabama's talented receivers is a 'tough job' | BamaInsider.com

 

[BamaFan334]

Not saying this as a dig or to be funny, but man, if we can get someone to distribute the ball and have great playcalling, we may score 60 points a game. Our running game, tight ends, and receivers are just lights out bad asses. We have accumulated so much offensive talent that there will not be enough time in a game to get everyone involved like they deserve.

 

[bamachine]

^Unless we need to score 60 a game, I seriously doubt we do. That is just not the modus operandi of Alabama Football, under Saban or any former coach. Once they have a team whipped, they pull back, slow it down as much as possible to avoid that.

 

[utstnx]

smith, jeudy, and waddle........it should be a good year for the O.

 

[JoshB]

Has there been any word at all if he is returning punts/kickoffs?

 

[TUSKtimes]

^Unless we need to score 60 a game, I seriously doubt we do. That is just not the modus operandi of Alabama Football, under Saban or any former coach. Once they have a team whipped, they pull back, slow it down as much as possible to avoid that.

I don't know what we are going to do. This is why certain teams got steamrolled last season. It's hard to call off the dogs if you put in Hurts, Robinson, Jacobs in the game and try to tell then no. Defenses better cinch up the jockstrap and hang on.

 

[bamachine]

^Unless we need to score 60 a game, I seriously doubt we do. That is just not the modus operandi of Alabama Football, under Saban or any former coach. Once they have a team whipped, they pull back, slow it down as much as possible to avoid that.

I don't know what we are going to do. This is why certain teams got steamrolled last season. It's hard to call off the dogs if you put in Hurts, Robinson, Jacobs in the game and try to tell then no. Defenses better cinch up the jockstrap and hang on.

Not saying it is not possible for them to hit that mark, just that they will try to avoid it as a general practice.

 

[BamaFan334]

^Unless we need to score 60 a game, I seriously doubt we do. That is just not the modus operandi of Alabama Football, under Saban or any former coach. Once they have a team whipped, they pull back, slow it down as much as possible to avoid that.

I don't know what we are going to do. This is why certain teams got steamrolled last season. It's hard to call off the dogs if you put in Hurts, Robinson, Jacobs in the game and try to tell then no. Defenses better cinch up the jockstrap and hang on.

Not saying it is not possible for them to hit that mark, just that they will try to avoid it as a general practice.

I agree, Coach calls the dogs off once he know he has a team beat. Kills me when I bet the spread, but obviously Coach doesn't give a crap about that! Why I was hesitant at 26.5 with Louisville. Was about to pull the trigger on a $500 bet yesterday, but just couldn't do it yet.