🏈 Player interviews: Jaylen Waddle and Patrick Surtain II

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Last year’s Iron Bowl doesn’t bring back the fondest memories for Alabama. Although, there are aspects from the 48-45 defeat that should provide optimism for the Crimson Tide heading into the coming season. Chief among those is the connection between redshirt junior quarterback Mac Jones and junior receiver Jaylen Waddle.

Those two gave the Tigers fits last year, connecting four times for 98 yards and three touchdowns. With Waddle stepping into a starting role, it’s easy to imagine that performance being a precursor to a similarly productive partnership this season.

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Waddle’s opportunities were limited last year as he played behind first-round draft picks Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III as well as the team’s leading receiver, DeVonta Smith. Still, the former five-star recruit managed to haul in 33 receptions for 560 yards and six touchdowns. With Jeudy and Ruggs now moved on to the NFL, Waddle figures to be in a better position to unleash his full potential in the Tide’s offense.

“Having Ruggs, having Jeudy, having Smitty, it was like, ‘Where do you get Jaylen into the game?’ And then when he gets in the game maybe he’s playing 10-15 plays,” Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said earlier this week. “How many times can you get him the ball? And so now coming back with Smitty and Jaylen you feel a little bit more comforting in knowing that you have more opportunities and you don’t have to force it to them. It can get to them a little bit more organically or a little more naturally.”

Waddle never put up a fuss while serving as a secondary option in the Tide’s offense his first two years. However, it’s obvious he is eager to make his mark as an every-down player this fall.

"Unfortunately I was the fourth option, fourth receiver for last year so I really didn't get enough playing time," Waddle said. "But this year, you know, they're looking for me to come to a bigger role, and I'm just excited to get out there and play and just do my job for the team.”

As for Waddle’s connection with Jones, that’s also expected to increase in the coming year.

During Jones’ four starts last season, he targeted Waddle just 11 times. However, 10 of those went for receptions resulting in a combined 215 yards and four scores. Waddle’s 90.9 catch-to-target percentage from Jones was the highest the quarterback had with any receiver during his time as a starter. For comparison, Jeudy reeled in 80 percent (20 of 25) of his targets from Jones during that span while Smith caught 68.2 percent (15 of 22) and Ruggs caught 64.7 percent (11 of 17).

“Well, this minicamp, and this camp we are having right now, we have been getting a lot of reps,” Waddle said of his work with Jones. “A lot more reps than usual. So, I think the chemistry is just continuing to get better over time.”

Waddle should also benefit from Jones’ growing comfort behind center. The right-hander made significant strides late last season after filling in for injured starter Tua Tagovailoa, combining for 662 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions against top-30 defenses in Auburn and Michigan.

“Well Mac Jones, I think he’s taken a more personal role,” Waddle said. “He’s more confident. He’s really leading the team, you know. He came in late last year, so it was more of a process of him getting better and confident with the offense. Now he’s looking really, really good.”

While Waddle’s talent has never been in question, he’s also working on improving his game this offseason. The speedy receiver says he’s had “really good” conversations with director of sports science Dr. Matt Rhea as he looks to improve his sub-4.3 speed.

“He's been working on his craft during the offseason,” Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II said. "He's gonna play a very big role. He's a special player and we're looking forward to competing against each other every day.”

Waddle has also taken on more a veteran role heading into his third year with the program. The rising junior joins Smith as the only returning wide receivers with more than five career receptions. While Alabama has several budding options such as sophomore John Metchie III and redshirt sophomore Slade Bolden as well as incoming freshmen Javon Baker, Traeshon Holden and Thaiu Jones-Bell, Waddle knows from experience how difficult it can be to break into the Tide’s attack.

“With the young guys, it’s hard. Our offense is hard to learn,” Waddle said. “So, they’ve been kind of learning through this mini-camp and through this camp that we’re having. I just give them little tips on what they can do, like little tips in the offense, where they can just easily grow into the offense.”

When asked Saturday who Alabama’s starting receivers would be this season, Waddle displayed his new veteran moxie, stating, “That's a question you are going to have to ask Coach Saban.”

Waddle now knows he’s one of them. And so does Jones.

 

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