Not only has Alabama reloaded with another strong recruiting class this past season, but it was able to plug some holes on its roster with an active offseason from the transfer portal.
Since the conclusion of last year, the Crimson Tide has made a number of additions as it brought in former LSU defensive back Eli Ricks, Georgia Tech running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Georgia wide receiver Jermaine Burton. Both Burton and Gibbs will have some big shoes to fill offensively as Alabama comes into the season depleted at both positions as Brian Robinson, Jameson Williams and John Metchie all departed for the NFL Draft.
Gibbs was amongst the first to swap his jersey in favor of the crimson and white. On Monday, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young had a chance to discuss his early impressions of Gibbs who has made a real impression in his few months in Tuscaloosa.
“Jahmyr has worked really hard,” Young said. “He’s done a great job coming in and he’s someone who has really taken to the offense really well, someone has done the little things right into our conditioning. Every week, he was winning an award for being one of the top performers. Someone who came in and looked good and worked and ran well last week. Again I’m super excited.”
In two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, Gibbs rushed for 1206 yards, eight rushing touchdowns and caught 59 passes for 768 yards and five receiving touchdowns.
Robinson was Alabama’s leading rusher from a season ago and with Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams coming off major injuries the running backs room needed a boost which Gibbs hopes to provide. Alabama hasn’t quite had a running back on its roster with the stature and versatility that Gibbs has. He’s elusive between the tackles and through the air which will put loads of pressure on defenses when he’s on the field.
“Now as we’re back to our normal spring schedule of every day we’re together, we’re meeting, we’re practicing,” Young said, “I’m excited to continue to work with (Gibbs) and to continue to see him be successful. It’s exciting for me.”
Not only did Young rave about the addition of Gibbs, but he also raved about Burton. With a lot of production to replace from the departed receivers, like Gibbs, Burton provides more experience to a young group. What gives Burton another leg up on his competition is his prior relationship with Young as the two are both California natives.
“Jermaine’s someone that I knew before he transferred here,” Young said. “He was in California his last two years and we’ve been to the same camps, been in the same circles, so he was someone that I knew before college.
“He’s someone who came in and really has a really professional mindset as far as early, eight when he transferred in, he wanted to know the plays, wanted to know the system, meeting with Wiggs, meeting and talking with me and asking me questions about how we did stuff, how our operation worked certain routes, the specifics. He’s someone who has worked hard to catch up as quickly as possible and kind of bridge that gap.
“Before spring starts, especially when it’s newer faces, you get those sessions on the side of throwing and trying to get chemistry down and get a feel for one another. We had a relationship before college, and we’ve had some stuff before spring practice. Getting our first practice in last Friday and then now in attack mode, having these 14 coming up, it’s gonna be big. I’m excited for that.”
Before leaving for Alabama, Burton would have been one of Georgia’s most experienced receivers returning. In two seasons with the Bulldogs, Burton caught 53 passes for 901 yards and eight receiving touchdowns.
The implementation of both Gibbs and Burton could be the missing pieces for the Crimson Tide’s offensive success in 2022.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
