Fans of the Crimson Tide are excited for this edition of athletes taking the field, as Nick Saban and the program look to reclaim the crown of national champions. With 15 practice sessions – including the A-Day Game – the staff writers for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will provide in-depth previews on marquee players.
As we continue with the series, We want to focus on our first early enrollee. Our next profile piece is on Aaron Anderson.
Aaron Anderson
-Classification: Freshman
-Position: Wide Receiver
-Hometown: New Orleans, LA
-Height: 5-9
-Weight: 185 pounds
-Strengths: Route Running, Speed, Vertical, Elusiveness
-Weaknesses: Will Benefit From Improved Strength
Summary for spring practice
Alabama football has had its fair share of freshman wide receivers break out in year one, and Aaron Anderson has the tools needed to do so in an unproven wideout room.
Anderson was rated as a five-star recruit by Touchdown Alabama coming out of Edna Carr High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He played football and ran track for the Cougars throughout high school.
RELATED: Aaron Anderson Recruiting Profile
The Louisiana product has speed to burn. He holds a PR of 10.77 in the 100-meter dash, and he uses that speed to be a dangerous weapon at wide receiver. At 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, he has the frame of a running back but do not let his size fool you.
Anderson plays big in more ways than one. His impressive vertical allows him to high-point the football to make contested catches in the air and his route running skills can put defenders in a blender.
Alabama had multiple signees flash on day one of the Under Armour All-America Practice.
4-Star WR, Aaron Anderson stole the show though. @TDAlabamaMag
Full Highlights: https://t.co/6ZiqJ06Mny pic.twitter.com/9Vjn5YSv6i
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) December 30, 2021
The Alabama freshman can do a lot to be effective before the catch, but he is equally as dangerous with the football in his hands. He can gap defenders with his elite open-field speed, and he can leave potential tacklers grabbing for air and frozen in place with his elusiveness.
The Crimson Tide are expected to line Anderson up at slot wide receiver. With Slade Bolden moving on to the NFL, the starting slot wide receiver position is up for grabs. However, Anderson faces some stiff competition with the Tide returning JoJo Earle, Thaiu Jones-Bell and Christian Leary. Both Leary and Earle earn playing time last season.
It may be difficult to keep Anderson off the field next season if he puts together an impressive spring for the Tide. He could get some looks in the return game as well.
Watch Aaron Anderson Film Reaction Below:
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Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
