Redshirt junior wide receiver Chris Black has served as the media’s eyes and ears to start Alabama’s summer conditioning program. He uploaded a picture of him and redshirt freshman quarterback David Cornwell to his Instagram (@chrisblack_unoera) last weekend.
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Tuesday, Alabama fans saw Black’s pictures and videos of him and true freshman wide receiver Calvin Ridley working on footwork drills. He looks to take on a leadership role with Amari Cooper, Christion Jones and DeAndrew White all in the National Football League.
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Ridley, a native of Pompano Beach, Fla., was a five-star recruit upon his arrival to Alabama this summer. He was a game-changing receiver at Monarch High School, and Crimson Tide fans are excited about what he can add to the team.
The 6-foot, 170-pound freshman caught 81 passes for 2,231 yards with 29 touchdowns in his career at Monarch. Ridley’s efforts earned him the nickname “Showtime.” He participated in Nike’s “The Opening” competition in the summer of 2014, and formed a friendship with Alabama’s true freshman quarterback Blake Barnett.
Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley, photo by: 247 sports
Ridley will more than likely wear jersey No.9 in the 2015 season, as Amari Cooper has given him his blessing. Ridley is expected to make a huge impact as a freshman, but he has the potential to do so. Alabama returns Robert Foster, ArDarius Stewart, Raheem Falkins, Cam Sims (injured) and others to the roster this fall. Foster and Stewart emerged both this spring in the absence of Sims, but Ridley’s play making abilities is something that offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin will examine.
Stephen M. Smith is a staff writer and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook and “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
