Searching for explosive plays has been an exploration Nick Saban has been on for weeks now. After losing wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle along with running back Najee Harris, the Crimson Tide’s passing attack hasn’t had nearly the same effect it did last season.
But of late, Alabama has seen big performances from receivers John Metchie and Jameson Williams but now, a third receiver is getting himself into the mix at just the right time in sophomore Traeshon Holden.
With the tight end play still being inconsistent from a passing standpoint, there was a need for another explosive player in the passing game and Holden is taking advantage.
In the past two weeks, he has five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown while becoming a consistent fixture in the offense.
“Traeshon has been the most consistent guy,” Saban said following the Mississippi State game. “He’s got the most playing time. We need for some of our younger guys to step up, in terms of maturity, preparation, ability to execute, knowledge. They need to follow the lead of some of the other guys, in terms of how they practice, prepare, what they do. I think that’s going to be really critical for us as we move down the road.”
What’s gotten Holden on the field lately is his willingness to do the little things on offense. Whether it’s blocking downfield or drawing a pass interference play against Tennessee, he’s doing even more than just catching 30 yard passes.
But he’s done a good bit of that too.
Against Mississippi State, Holden’s three catches went for 19 yards, 22 yards and 29 yards along with his touchdown. It was one of the Crimson Tide’s top passing games of the season and Holden was right in the middle of it with Metchie and Williams.
As he becomes more and more involved in the offense in the weeks to come, Holden will provide the Crimson Tide with a needed boost downfield as he shapes himself into a leader for the younger receivers looking to breakthrough.
“There are two parts to leadership,” Saban said. “You gotta have people who lead but you also have to have other people who recognize leadership and follow along. Take the example that they see and implement that in their play. Creating the right habits is something every player needs to understand.”
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
