Alabama football earned its fifth win of the season on last week, but it came at a huge cost.
It lost its most explosive weapon and the most entertaining wide receiver in college football.
Jaylen Waddle, a junior from Houston, Texas, sustained a serious ankle injury on the opening kickoff versus Tennessee. After pounding the ground in pain, he was carted to the locker room for X-rays and then taken to an ambulance.
According to Nick Saban, the former four-star suffered a high sprain to his right ankle with a fracture. It is an injury that is similar to what Kenyan Drake had in 2014 against Ole Miss, and Waddle will need surgery. He is expected to miss the remainder of the season; however, the young man is a fighter.
Prior to the mishap, Waddle was having an incredible year. He totaled 557 receiving yards with four touchdowns on 25 catches.
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The 5-foot-10, 182-pounder was averaging 22.5 yards per reception and 111.4 yards per game.
He recorded four straight 100-yard performances, including a career-high for yards (161) against Georgia in Alabama’s 41-24 victory over the Bulldogs. With him out, the Crimson Tide has to find a new way to create big plays.
Fortunately, fans are seeing the rise of John Metchie III. A sophomore from Canada, Metchie has two 100-yard matchups as the latest one came in a meeting with the Volunteers.
In Waddle’s absence, he had a game-high seven receptions for 151 yards.
Metchie averaged 21.6 yards per catch, while grabbing two long reception of 45 yards each.
Six of his seven receptions resulted in first downs, as Metchie is bring swagger to No. 8.
He is averaging just under 100 yards receiving per game (99.8) and has 499 yards with three scores on 21 catches. Seeing how DeVonta Smith is the No. 1 target, Steve Sarkisian is going to have to craft more plays for Metchie.
Slade Bolden, a redshirt sophomore, has been Alabama’s second option in the slot after Waddle. Both players arrived in the 2018 signing class and Bolden was a three-star from Louisiana.
He finished his high school career as Gatorade Player of the Year in 2017.
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Although he played on both sides of the ball, Bolden has grown into being a capable receiver.
When his number was called against Tennessee, he emerged with six catches for 94 yards.
Four of his receptions resulted in first downs and he handled punts well too. After Metchie and Bolden, could we see a true freshman rise?
The Crimson Tide needs as many players as possible to help cushion the blow of Waddle’s injury. During the Saban era, the program has at least had one freshman to grow at receiver because of an injury. Amari Cooper stepped up in 2012, following a shoulder injury to Chris Black and a knee injury to DeAndrew White. He ended the season with 59 catches for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning Freshman All-American honors and helped Alabama win a BCS National Championship over Notre Dame.
In 2015, Calvin Ridley got the call at the expense of Robert Foster getting hurt.
He lead the Southeastern Conference for receptions (89) and had 1,045 yards with seven scores. Ridley was a Freshman All-American and paced the Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship over the talented Clemson Tigers.
Sarkisian has a trio of freshmen — Javon Baker, Traeshon Holden and Thaiu Jones-Bell — he could go to, but Baker seems to be the most prepared at this point. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, the star receiver from McEachern High School came to the Tide impressing teammates over the summer. He has the capability to make prime time receptions and burn defensive backs.
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Holden has great size at 6’3″ and 208 pounds. He’s been working on the scout team, but he has some tools that could generate more creativity on offense. As for Jones-Bell, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine and Justin Smith saw him dominate the competition at practices for the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Fla. He had a breakout junior season at Miami (Fla.) Carol City High School, tallying 17 touchdowns on 38 catches in 2018.
In his senior campaign, he posted seven scores on 38 receptions with 745 yards. The 6-foot, 190-pounder has been on scout team as well with the Tide, but definitely has potential.
Could this be an opportunity for Xavier Williams?
Aside from a couple of good moments in spring games, fans have wanted to see more from Williams.
He was in the 2018 class with Waddle and Bolden, and the native Floridian was a star in high school. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has some traits that would remind people of ArDarius Stewart, but he has to get on the field. Williams has yet to break through; nevertheless, this could be his opportunity. He is a redshirt sophomore that has a ton of ability, but needs to put it into action.
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Sarkisian and Alabama has its work cut out for it, but the Tide has to find another outlet for marquee plays.
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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.
