He endured a serious knee injury in 2017 and Irv Smith stole the show last year, but Miller Forristall is in a good place with Alabama through the first five games of this season.
Despite some early adversity and having to share the ball with four talented wide receivers and two good running backs, the former three-star at tight end holds his own and has produced in Steve Sarkisian’s return as offensive coordinator. As great as O.J. Howard was, Lane Kiffin failed to utilize his skill set on offense, until the College Football Playoff title game.
In the first five games for the Crimson Tide in 2015, Howard totaled 13 catches for 183 yards receiving on an average of 14.1 yards per catch.
Smith, a native of New Orleans, La., is four inches shorter (6’2”) and nine pounds lighter (242) than Howard; however, his first five matchups for Alabama in 2018 were more productive.
He posted 14 receptions from Tua Tagovailoa for 209 yards with two touchdowns on an average of 14.9 yards a reception.
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Forristall weighs the same as Smith, but is an inch shorter than Howard.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds, Nick Saban referred to the junior as being ‘O.J. Howard-like’ last year.
According to a quote from former Tide quarterback, Josh Palet, Touchdown Alabama Magazine was told that Forristall ‘just finds a way to get open.’
Thus far, he has six catches for 81 yards with a pair of scores — including a 19-yard touchdown reception last week versus Mississippi at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Forristall is averaging 13.5 yards per catch, which is in stride with Howard and Smith.
Regardless of the scheme being west coast with run-pass option tendencies, Alabama fans are seeing the tight end position used more in the first half of the season.
One can only imagine the thoughts that players such as Collin Peek, Preston Dial, Nick Walker, Brian Vogler and Michael Williams would have if they were involved in today’s offensive system. Those guys were productive, but their time in Tuscaloosa (Ala.) was when the role was known for blocking.
Nowadays, we are seeing more of what’s called a “move tight end.”
Guys are being spread out wide to create favorable matchups in the passing game and while Forristall is a strong in-line blocker, his exploits in route running are exceptional.
He will only get better as the Tide returns to conference play next week and expect for Tagovailoa to look more in his direction.
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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.
