Athletes come to Nick Saban and Alabama football for an opportunity to step up in the biggest matchups.
Ja’Corey Brooks has had a season similar to a Crimson Tide legend.
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DeVonta Smith did not garner many conversations in the 2017 recruiting class.
As a Louisiana native, he was quiet, yet his actions were loud. His marquee moment came in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, where he caught a game-winning 41-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa against Georgia.
He totaled two touchdowns before the moment, but that catch transformed Smith into a household name, a Heisman winner, a Biletnikoff Award winner, a two-time CFP National Championship, a first-round draft pick, and a college football legend.
Brooks, a native of Miami, Fla., was not heavily discussed in the 2021 class.
More attention went to Christian Leary, JoJo Earle, and Agiye Hall.
Coaches and players watched Brooks grow at his craft in practice. He worked on refining his routes, catching passes, blocking techniques, separating himself from defensive backs, and being a student of the game. Brooks’ first big moment came against Auburn. He caught two passes, including a 28-yard touchdown, in Alabama’s drive in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 10.
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He wanted the ball to come to him at the most crucial time, and Brooks responded like Smith did to end 2017.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder emerged as the Crimson Tide’s No. 2 option at receiver in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic versus Cincinnati. John Metchie’s (knee) absence hurt, but Brooks provided a big highlight in the second quarter. He secured a 44-yard scoring strike from Bryce Young. Brooks stretched the ball inside the pylon to give Alabama a 17-3 lead.
A 44-YARD TOUCHDOWN DIME FROM BRYCE YOUNG 🎯 pic.twitter.com/QQAEnF0898
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2021
He led the Tide for receiving yards (66) on four catches. Brooks became the big-play target against the Bearcats, averaging 16.5 yards per reception. Three of his four catches resulted in first downs or scores. Brooks has nine catches for 145 yards and two scores this season.
Nick Saban spoke on how proud he was of Brooks after the game.
“I was really pleased with Ja’Corey Brooks,” Saban said. “He’s played well for us. He has had to step up for us with John Metchie out.”
Saban told reporters he was ‘elated’ with young players.
Alabama has confidence in Brooks and other freshmen on the field. In the 2018 CFP title game, the Tide had six freshmen on offense in the second half for an epic comeback win.
Brooks is the man with Metchie out, and he is all in on winning a national title.
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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.
