Despite all the chaos in today’s world, Alabama football will start its season in 23 days versus Missouri.
As it continues its third week of fall practice, the Crimson Tide is starting to locate playmakers at tight end. Earlier in the spring, Nick Saban saw the position as one that needs more explosive players.
Alabama decided to bring in a graduate transfer in Carl Tucker from the University of North Carolina. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, Tucker provides 38 games of experience to the Tide’s offense. He totaled 549 yards receiving with four touchdowns on 36 catches.
Tucker played at North Carolina from 2015 to 2019.
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Although he dealt with injuries in 2017 and 2019, the new strength of David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea has kept everyone healthy thus far.
Tucker carries all the tools of being a complete player at the position and per Saban, he thinks Alabama’s latest addition ‘will certainly’ contribute to the team in a positive way.
“Carl has done a really good job,” Saban said on Wednesday. “He is a really good blocker. He has got some explosive power. He plays with a lot of toughness. His experience has helped him adapt very quickly to the offense. He’s a good receiver with good hands.”
After redshirting his initial freshman year, Tucker was featured in multiple spots for the Tar Heels.
At tight end, he was an in line blocker, a flexed-out receiver and a pass catcher on the line.
Tucker carries the same body structure as former Tide standout, Irv Smith Jr. Smith, who stands at 6-foot-2 and 242 pounds, caught 44 passes in 2018 for 710 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. He set the single-season school record for touchdown catches by a tight end, en route to helping Alabama secure a Southeastern Conference title.
Smith was taken in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
Currently, Tucker is a preseason candidate for the John Mackey Award — which is presented to the most outstanding tight end in college football. If he can stay healthy, he has a huge opportunity to boost up his draft stock.
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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.
