It is fair to say that the 2020 attack in Alabama was the best they have ever had. Subjective to some extent, the records support it.
What is not up for debate is the exodus of talent that propelled the race for the national title. Objectively, this is a problem for 2021.
How much this first-class recruitment class will mitigate losses will be a question worth asking in the coming months. This group scored boxes in all three skill positions while scoring an offensive line class with as much potential as any in Nick Saban’s history.
With a challenging schedule at the start of the season, there will be less acclimatization for a young attack that will feature new key players and a technical team that has replaced four of the five offensive assistants.
The good news is that Saban enjoys the crop of talent that comes with stars like DeVonta Smith, Mac Jones and Najee Harris now gearing up for the NFL draft.
With former five-star Bryce Young, the likely next defender, the passing game will be the main focus. That facet of the game lost 67% of its 4,656 passing yards and 65% of the 324 receptions in 2020.
Tide signed four of the top ten recipients in the 2021 247Sports composite ranking. Saban said on Wednesday that “it will be interesting to see how they develop” and will fit into targets like John Metchie and tight end Jahleel Billingsley.
“We have spent years when we played young people in that position and they have made significant contributions,” said Saban. “I use the example many times when we were playing against Georgia in the national championship game. Smitty took the touchdown pass; he was a freshman. (Henry) Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy were there. “
Others like Amari Cooper in 2012 (59 receptions, 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns) and Jaylen Waddle in 2018 (45 receptions, 848 yards and seven touchdowns) would be the model for this talented group. Saban also pointed out the fact that three of the four signatories are on campus for the upcoming spring training. This includes Jacorey Brooks (No. 2 WR), Agiye Hall (No. 5 WR) and Christian Leary (No. 10 WR) while JoJo Earle (No. 6 WR) will apply during the summer.
Brooks and Hall are impressive in size, both at 1.80 m, while Leary and Earle check in at 5-10.
The need was not so urgent for another running back, but Alabama still added a five star as one of Wednesday’s two signatories. Camar Wheaton is the second running back in the class, a rating similar to that of Harris and some of his new teammates. Jace McClellan was No. 6 RB last year, while Trey Sanders was No. 1 in 2019. Brian Robinson was No. 8 in the 2017 class when Harris was No. 2 overall and No. 1 in his position.
That said, Saban said the plan with Wheaton or any of the early prospects was simply to replace Harris and 61% of the 2020 racing yards he contributed. Still, a talented room with considerable depth was left in Harris’ wake.
“Everyone’s role will be different,” said Saban, “and how players agree to do the things they need to do to accept that role and embrace that role will be the key to how these people develop in those positions. But this is how it happens in college football. You lose 25% of your team every year. This creates many opportunities for other players, and how they take advantage of it, to a large extent, determines how successful they can be and how successful we can be. “
The quarterback’s office will not be as crowded.
With Jones leaving a year earlier, Young and Paul Tyson are the only fellows to return to 2021. Jalen Milroe, a signatory for December, will play three defenders after the Katy, Texas product was entered in January. The fourth quarterback of the double threat chose Alabama over Texas after being recruited to Tuscaloosa by two assistants now with the Longhorns – Steve Sarkisian and Jeff Banks.
Saban said he was impressed with Milroe when he visited the camp when he was a junior. They liked his athleticism and precision as a passer.
“He has a very good disposition about himself as a leader and a great personality that I think people can follow,” said Saban. “And we are excited to have you here. He was one of the best in the country, in our opinion, and we are very happy to have him here ”.
Unlike running backs or receivers, Jones handled almost every significant snap from last season, so Saban noted that they need to build not only the starting quarterback, but also their depth. Young made a total of 22 passes in relief performances, completing 13 while showing some of the promises that made him the second general recruit in the 2020 class.
Saban dismissed the idea that Alabama’s lack of experience in the quarterback room would be especially challenging for the development of young talent.
“I mean, Bryce really played after a guy who won Davey O’Brien (Prize) this year all year round, saw him train every day,” said Saban. “So, I really don’t see how having another guy helps to develop a younger guy. I’m not sure where that kind of assumption comes from. I don’t know if we would do something different. “
In the beginning, the development of some well-valued potential customers will be something to watch this spring. Alabama loses potential starting players in tackle Alex Leatherwood, central Landon Dickerson and guard Deonte Brown. This class includes two tackles ranked among the top five potential players in JC Latham (No. 2) and Tommy Brockermeyer (No. 5) with Terrence Ferguson ranked No. 2 among the guards and 57th overall. All three are registered for spring together with James Brockermeyer, the top-ranked center.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or in Facebook.