He was behind Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith in the last two seasons, but Jaylen Waddle is ready to take center stage.
Despite creating a niche on punt return and kick return, the native Texan wants to prove he can also be the No. 1 option in the passing game.
Ruggs led the receiver room in touchdown catches (six) in 2017, while Jeudy and Smith exploded for massive production in each of the last two years. For Waddle, the rising junior looks at this fall as his shot to punch his ticket as a first-rounder for the 2021 NFL Draft.
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After recording 560 receiving yards with six scores in 2019, Waddle has totaled 1,408 yards in two seasons with 13 touchdowns.
The 5-foot-10, 182-pounder works well with Mac Jones, seeing how three of his six scores came from the native Floridian at quarterback.
Waddle dominated Auburn, despite a loss for Alabama, snatching four passes for 98 yards receiving with three touchdowns.
With Jones projected to be the starter in the fall, look for the chemistry to continue growing.
On last week, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine explained via In My Own Words on why Waddle will take the reins as the leader at receiver.
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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.
