He arrived at the University of Alabama in 2017 with two other gifted playmakers, but Jerry Jeudy stood out.
Once a five-star from Deerfield Beach, Fla., he impressed coaches, teammates, fans and his peers across the college football landscape in three seasons with the Crimson Tide.
After finishing second for receptions as a freshman (14), Jeudy led Alabama in receptions (68), receiving yards (1,315) and touchdowns (14) in 2018 — en route to winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award and pushing the Tide to a Southeastern Conference title.
He responded with a second consecutive 1,000-yard performance (1,163, 10 scores) in 2019 on 77 catches and ended his final game versus Michigan with 204 yards in the Citrus Bowl.
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Prior to getting selected No. 15 overall in April to the Denver Broncos, Jeudy placed in the top-five all-time in school history for receptions (159, No. 5), receiving yards (2,742, No. 4) and touchdowns (26, No. 2). As a two-time Super Bowl champion and legendary quarterback of the Broncos, John Elway wanted a prime time receiver for this team.
The general manager and president of football operations targeted Jeudy, and his reward on Thursday Night Football was his first win of the season.
Despite a shoulder injury to Drew Lock, Jeudy made Brett Rypien feel at home in his first career start.
In facing the New York Jets, a franchise desperate for its first victory of the campaign, the most complete wide receiver in this year’s draft class was not targeted on the Broncos’ first drive.
Upon it trailing 7-3 in the second quarter, Rypien tossed a pass in Jeudy’s direction. Regardless of Pierre Desir (cornerback) being in phase and Rypien’s pass slightly under thrown, Jeudy showed why he garnered a five-star rating out of high school and what made him highly respected at Alabama. The 6-foot-1, 193-pounder plucked the ball away from Desir, maintained his balance, and proceeded into the end zone for a 48-yard touchdown.
.@Broncos fans have been waiting for this. #BroncosCountry @jerryjeudy
?: #DENvsNYJ on @NFLNetwork
?: NFL App // Yahoo Sports App: https://t.co/jQ6nvOCVqi pic.twitter.com/6nIaDlqmhm— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2020
JERRY JEUDY.
48 yards for his first career TD! #BroncosCountry @jerryjeudy
?: #DENvsNYJ on @NFLNetwork
?: NFL App // Yahoo Sports App: https://t.co/jQ6nvOCVqi pic.twitter.com/vSiY5E4VCf— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2020
Fans of the Broncos have been waiting for that moment and it happened against the Jets.
Jeudy and fellow receiver, K.J. Hamler, had a dance party after he scored. The native Floridian and former national champion grabbed two passes from Rypien for 61 yards. He averaged 30.8 yards per reception and aided the Broncos to a 37-28 victory on the road.
Jeudy and company will travel to Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.) next week to battle the New England Patriots.
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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.
