His patience throughout last season and productivity through 10 games this year has opened a chance for him to win his first-ever national award.
Alabama sophomore receiver Jerry Jeudy possesses every trait of an elite weapon, from exceptional hands to crafty route running. He has impressed Crimson Tide fans all season with his juke moves and big-play mentality after catching passes. The former-five star is responsible for 45 of Tua Tagovailoa’s 146 completions – 31 percent – as he has recorded 925 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns.
Jeudy’s brought damage to four different Southeastern Conference schools, accounting for 100-yard performances versus Arkansas, Ole Miss, Missouri and LSU. While he is averaging 20.6 yards per catch and is advancing on the all-time list for yards and touchdowns in a single-season, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation selected Jeudy on Monday as one of seven semifinalists for the Fred Biletnikoff Award.
For the honor that is presented to college football’s most outstanding receiver, Jeudy may become the second Tide standout to win since Amari Cooper in 2014. Prior to being chosen fourth overall in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Raiders (now with Dallas), Cooper tallied 124 catches for 1,727 receiving yards and 16 scores that year – en route to helping Alabama win a Southeastern Conference championship and appear in the inaugural College Football Playoff.
The winner of the Biletnikoff honor will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN inside the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta on Dec. 6.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
