TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– One dominant season positions Calvin Ridley for the National Football League and he knows it. With ArDarius Stewart, Gehrig Dieter and O.J. Howard all gone, Ridley will command attention.
He turned in 769 receiving yards in 2016, which is more than what former Alabama standouts Julio Jones (596, in 2008) and Amari Cooper (736, in 2013) accomplished as true sophomores.
The 6-foot-1, 188-pound receiver is one of six starters returning, while being the primary weapon for the Crimson Tide on offense. He produced quality numbers on the perimeter and in the slot during the last two seasons, but who will emerge to help Ridley in developing the potential of either Jalen Hurts or five-star Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback?
Answers to this question lies within Robert Foster, Cam Sims, Trevon Diggs, Derek Kief, T.J. Simmons and Raheem Falkins: all of which are scheduled to be on the Tide’s roster for 2017.
It’s no secret that coach Nick Saban loves putting game-changing freshmen on the field. He did for Jones, Cooper and Ridley and for Jerry Jeudy and Tyrell Shavers, both will have their say. Though we are weeks from spring practice, many of the players have started the offseason weight training program.
Listed below are four strong candidates that look to take pressure of Ridley.
Robert Foster, RS Senior
Should the ensuing transfer rumors turn up accurate, Robert Foster will not be on this list for the 2017 college football season. If all speculations are false and Alabama does not acquire a third graduate transfer receiver, fans may finally see the totality of Foster that it knew it was coming.
Aside from a monster high school career in Pennsylvania and a quality start to 2015, the former five-star prospect and explosive target has been reduced to a footnote thus far in his career.
His name packed much energy in spring practice and fall camp; however, Foster accounted for just 55 receiving yards on five catches through 10 games in 2016. Maybe he officially breaks out next fall, but it’s now or never for one of the 2013 recruiting cyle’s most heralded names.
Cam Sims, Senior
He’s been through knee injuries and had a shoulder issue against Southern California to start the 2016 season—yet and still, Cam Sims showed at times why he was a four-star recruit in 2014.
The Monroe, La., native saw action in 14 games, including three starts against Kent State, Kentucky and UT-Chattanooga. He accomplished a career-day versus the Golden Flashes, bringing in four receptions for 54 yards. Sims would tie his career-high in receptions against the Mocs, while totaling 34 receiving yards.
He ended the regular season with 152 yards on 14 receptions.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 203 pounds, Sims can line up at either X or Z. He possesses the route running abilities of a strider, but can also chop down his steps on slants and inside post patterns.
His size allows him to elevate and shield defenders from the ball, much like what opposing wide outs did to Alabama’s defensive secondary throughout the year. A full offseason without medical mishaps will be pivotal for Sims, especially if the Tide wants a physical presence on the outside.
Trevon Diggs, Sophomore
Nick Saban and special teams coach Burton Burns will have a moment before deciding on whether Trevon Diggs should return punts again, but his ability at receiver is not questioned.
The younger brother of Minnesota Vikings’ receiver Stefon Diggs, Trevon was one of the nation’s elite defensive back prospects from Maryland in the 2016 recruiting cycle.
He was a two-way player in 2016, collecting 11 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown at receiver.
Diggs’ first career touchdown came on a five-yard pass from quarterback Cooper Bateman against Mississippi State. The four-star recruit turned in a strong effort on special teams in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, amassing 90 punt return yards on three attempts versus the Florida Gators.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder brings a lot of versatility.
Jerry Jeudy, Freshman
If you are not excited about Jerry Jeudy, someone needs to check your pulse.
The five-star prospect and No. 4 receiver nationally wants one year with his friend and former high school teammate, Calvin Ridley. After sifting through juking videos and watching film on him, Jeudy appears to be the latest jackpot move for Alabama in recruiting the Florida pipeline.
In an article from Chris Kirschner of SEC Country, Jeudy said Ridley “will teach me the ropes.”
The two were teammates at Monarch (Fla.) High School, before Jeudy transferred to Deerfield and totaled 41 catches for 496 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his junior season.
He was one of 12 players from the 2017 class to enroll this month.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
