His predecessors in Amari Cooper and Julio Jones both turned in massive numbers as juniors at the University of Alabama, stamping their tickets as top-five picks in the NFL Draft.
Like Cooper, another five-star from Florida is ready to stunt for the Crimson Tide one last time in search of his second national championship.
For Jerry Jeudy, his jump in production from freshman to sophomore year was aided by a top-tier quarterback – Tua Tagovailoa – and his ability to not only catch the football, but also make defenders looks foolish afterwards.
He enrolled in 2017 as a high school All-American via USA TODAY Sports; however, the all-around talent at 6-foot-1 set the college world on fire in 2018.
After Cooper, Jeudy turned in one of the best single-season performances in school history – totaling 65 catches for 1,315 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns.
He led Alabama in receiving and averaged 19.34 yards per catch and 87.7 yards a game, en route to assisting the program to a Southeastern Conference title.
Potentially, he could be one of five offensive skill players selected in the first round of the 2020 draft for the Tide. Before he returns to campus for spring practice, Jeudy trained on agility, footwork and route-running concepts during the break. He shared a video on Twitter, which displayed the efforts of the 2018 Fred Biletnikoff winner as he looks to break more records.
Destined For Greatness!!!! pic.twitter.com/1kJTCGrity
— JJ⁴ (@jerryjeudy) March 17, 2019
While his 68 receptions were fifth all-time in UA history in a season, Jeudy’s mark of 1,315 yards and 14 scores both fall second to Cooper.
The 192-pounder is tied for fifth all-time in career touchdown receptions (16) for the Tide and had five games last season with at least 100 yards receiving.
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Jeudy’s finest play of the 2018 season came in the SEC title game versus Georgia, where he caught a game-winning 10-yard pass from Jalen Hurts late in regulation.
Alabama ultimately got a 35-28 win.
The consensus All-American is set to make bank this fall.
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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.
