Since its victory over Mississippi State, Alabama football has been working in a lot of young players at practice.
Despite it not playing Louisiana State University, fans of the Crimson Tide are excited to see what the next wave of talented athletes can do versus Kentucky at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
On Thursday, Nick Saban said on his “Hey Coach” Show that Trey Sanders is expected to make a full recovery. During the bye week, the redshirt freshman at running back was involved in a serious car accident that left him with some injuries. The process of his return to the field will take some months, but Saban is just happy the young man is ok.
With him out, Jase McClellan (true freshman) emerges as the No. 3 back in the rotation.
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People are ready to see what the native Texan and four-star prospect can do.
Behind him, Tide fans should also watch Javon Baker against the Wildcats. An injury to Jaylen Waddle (right ankle) forces Slade Bolden to be the No. 3 option at wide receiver; however, Baker possesses more abilities to stretch the field vertically.
He has been earning more reps at practice in the last two weeks, and is primed for a big performance. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder is an alumnus of McEachern High School (Powder Springs, Ga.) and was one of the top receivers in the 2020 class.
Baker was the most valuable player at “The Opening” regionals in Atlanta and impressed coaches and teammates during summer workouts and fall camp at Alabama.
Not only is he highly competitive, but Baker also has the hands, athleticism, speed and ball judgment skills to take pressure off DeVonta Smith.
As the Tide starts to face tougher competition, it needs a weapon to continue forcing defensive backs to play every inch of the field. According to Jordan Battle, a sophomore at strong safety, he told local reporters that Baker might have the best hands on the team and he compared his talents to Amari Cooper.
Regardless of this matchup having an old school feel to it, fans would like to see Baker get a chance to show out.
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The SEC Network will have the call for Alabama-Kentucky today at 3:00 p.m. CT.
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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.
