Alabama fans were happy to finally see Tyler Harrell on the field against Mississippi State, but is this a sign of things to come for the transfer wide receiver from Louisville?
He caught one pass for 12 yards versus the Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium, but Coach Nick Saban updated reporters on the speedster during his meeting at the Monday Morning Quarterback Club. Harrell, a South Florida native, came to the Crimson Tide in the summer. He suffered a foot injury before arriving on campus, but he was an electric weapon for the Cardinals.
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The 6-foot, 194-pounder totaled 20 catches for 559 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games for Louisville. He averaged a jaw-dropping 29.1 yards per reception in 2021 with six touchdowns. Harrell possesses the speed Alabama needs against the elite defensive secondaries it will face down the stretch of this season. Saban said Harrell is getting comfortable in the offense.
“It is unfortunate that he missed a lot of time because of an injury,” he said about Harrell. “He is making a lot of progress, and he does offer something with his speed that can benefit you on offense. We want him to continue to improve and hopefully, we can create roles for him to be effective for us.”
Harrell’s explosiveness could give the Tide a big-play option in the slot or outside. His elusiveness would provide Alabama with a dynamic kick returner to pair next to Jahmyr Gibbs. Harrell brings marquee traits that Bill O’Brien needs to use.
We will see if Alabama goes to him more after the bye week.
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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.
