He was having a stellar junior year and was on pace to be a top-15 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, until the opening kickoff versus Tennessee occurred on last week.
Jaylen Waddle, a native of Houston, Texas, prides himself on being the best at everything.
Once a four-star prospect in Alabama’s 2018 signing class, he puts so much stress, frustration and fear in the minds of defensive coordinators and opposing teams with his explosive play.
As exciting as he is at wide receiver, Waddle is even more breathtaking when he returns punts and kickoffs. He creates a ton of entertainment value for fans and one can’t look away from him.
RELATED: Alabama players react to Jaylen Waddle injury
Upon getting the ball on the kickoff, Waddle took the attempt 15 yards downfield. While he was being tackled, his right ankle got stuck in the ground and a Volunteer defender rolled up on it.
Waddle immediately started pounding the ground and throbbing in pain. He was then carted to the locker room and taken to an ambulance, as the final verdict was a high ankle sprain with a fracture. For a second straight season, Nick Saban lost an amazing offensive player to injury and was highly saddened.
Waddle’s teammates were hurt, fans expressed emotions on social media, and media pundits sent well wishes to him as he will require surgery.
The 5-foot-10, 182-pounder suffered an injury that is very similar to what former Crimson Tide standout, Kenyan Drake had in 2014 versus Mississippi. He will miss the rest of the season, but Waddle also has a chance to return stronger.
According to Matt Provencher, a medical doctor and sports medicine specialist, the junior receiver can come back at an even higher level after recovering from his injury.
“Jaylen can come back quite well and even at a higher level after recovery from this injury.”@drprovencher says there’s reason to be hopeful for Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury today. pic.twitter.com/HOkZqgNWvX
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 25, 2020
“It will take four to six months of dedicated rehabilitation and a lot of hard work, but we know Jaylen and his medical staff have it in him to get him rehabilitated so that he can eventually play in the NFL,” Provencher said.
Dr. Provencher ended his statement with encouraging Waddle to keep his head up and remain positive.
Prior to the mishap, he totaled 557 yards receiving with four touchdowns on 25 catches.
RELATED: Nick Saban gives new injury updates on Jaylen Waddle and Deonte Brown
If there is any solace for Waddle, his former teammate — Tua Tagovailoa — had a significant injury in 2019. Tagovailoa dislocated his right hip and sustained a fracture to the posterior wall against Mississippi State.
Some people questioned whether or not he would be able to walk again. As for others, they looked at his football career being over.
He endured the surgery, battled through rehab, went through the NFL Draft process, and ended up still getting selected in the first-round (No. 5 overall) in April by the Miami Dolphins.
Alabama will need players to step up to cushion the blow of losing Waddle; however, the young man still has a major opportunity to bounce back and be better than ever.
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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.
