Alabama football will not have wide receiver John Metchie for the College Football Playoff Semifinal versus Cincinnati.
He sustained a knee injury in the SEC Championship Game that required surgery. National media could see it as a problem for Alabama’s offense, especially with Metchie being a 1,000-yard target. Jameson Williams has proven he is the go-to option for sophomore quarterback Bryce Young. Williams leads the Crimson Tide for receiving yards (1,445), touchdowns (15), yards per receptions (21.3), and yards per game (111.2). He is the explosive weapon, but who helps Williams in offsetting the Bearcats?
Young broke down Alabama’s group of young receivers in Tuesday’s media availability with reporters.
He spoke on Traeshon Holden, Ja’Corey Brooks, Javon Baker, and Agiye Hall in practice.
Traeshon Holden
“Trae has been doing a good job of competing in practice,” Young said. “We have had a lot of good-on-good reps. He’s made contested catches.”
Holden, a sophomore, has 15 catches for 211 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Ja’Corey Brooks
“Ja’Corey has been doing a good job of getting more technical with his routes,” Young said. “He has some experience playing in big moments and big games. So, I think he is getting more comfortable.”
Brooks, a freshman, caught two passes in Alabama’s game-tying touchdown drive versus Auburn.
He grabbed a 28-yard scoring strike from Young to tie the matchup at 10. Brooks has five receptions for 79 yards.
Javon Baker
“Bake [Javon Baker] has done a great job of competing too,” Young said. “He has run some good routes and is making plays.”
Baker, a sophomore, has seven catches for 101 yards with one touchdown.
Agiye Hall
“Agiye Hall has stepped up,” Young said. “He’s run some good deep routes. He’s getting more comfortable with routes that take more timing and reps.”
Hall, a five-star freshman, has two catches for 20 yards.
Young has confidence in all four receivers, but which one takes the most advantage of an opportunity?
We will see in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl versus Cincinnati. Alabama has playmakers, and it’s time to see them emerge.
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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.
