Can Alabama football be dynamic enough in all three phases in the fall to win a national championship?
Coach Nick Saban addressed reporters at Bryant-Denny Stadium after Saturday’s scrimmage.
The Crimson Tide has had some elite return specialists in the Saban era, including Javier Arenas, Kenyan Drake, Christion Jones, Cyrus Jones, Eddie Jackson, and Jaylen Waddle. DeVonta Smith returned a punt for a touchdown in the 2020 matchup against Arkansas. He would go on to win the Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player) and Heisman Memorial Trophy. JoJo Earle opened fall camp as one of Alabama’s punt return options, but a foot injury will have him miss 6-8 weeks. Saban has found two guys that can operate in Earle’s absence but kick returner is a spot the Tide wants to develop guys that have a feel to make plays.
RELATED: Alabama’s offensive line showed signs of improvement in first scrimmage
Alabama has a freshman that could contribute to the return game.
*Nick Saban talks about developing more punt and kick returners at the 6:38 mark
“Kool-Aid did a nice job on punt return,” Saban said after the scrimmage. “[Jermaine] Burton is back there. I have a lot of confidence in him on punt return. I think Emmanuel Henderson can be a dynamic returner. I think Tyler Harrell can do kick return. He is not a punt returner.”
Jahmyr Gibbs has a feel for the ball on kick returns. He performed the role at Georgia Tech in 2021, totaling 589 yards and a touchdown. Gibbs will be one of the guys returning kicks for the Tide, but who will join him? Saban said the team is developing players and trying to see who rises to the forefront. Burton could have a year similar to DeVonta Smith in 2020. He is Alabama’s ‘most consistent receiver’ per Saban, and it adds value to his NFL Draft status if he’s a good punt returner.
RELATED: WATCH: Nick Saban evaluates Alabama’s first scrimmage
Henderson, a five-star running back, is a good athlete. Saban has freshmen work their way up on special teams.
If he can be an electric returner, Henderson could see time as a back or receiver. As for Harrell, he returned four kickoffs for 90 yards last year at Louisville. He has the speed to excel in the role, but does he have a feel for judging the bounce of the ball?
We will see who rises to help Gibbs on kickoff return soon.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
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.
