Alabama has been looking for its clear-cut, go-to wide receiver for nearly two years now.
But on Saturday it may have found its answer in the form of Jermaine Burton.
Burton, who had been limited with a foot injury last week, had his signature performance as a member of the Crimson Tide as he caught nine passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns in the 26-20 win over Texas A&M.
His production on the day eclipsed what he had recorded through the first five weeks of the season for Alabama, as he entered the day with just eight catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns. But more importantly, he has finally proven the kind of player he can be since he transferred to the Crimson Tide last year.
“We’ve always had a lot of faith, trust and confidence in him,” head coach Nick Saban said after the game. “We knew they were really good up front, and we would struggle with their front. But we felt like if we could protect well enough and get some time that we could make some plays down the field, and I think that’s something that we did very effectively. And obviously, he was extremely effective in the game at making some big plays.”
For several years prior, Alabama has hit home runs out of the transfer portal most notably with Jameson Williams who came over from Ohio State and turned into one of the top receivers in the country the year before Burton joined the team.
After an up-and-down start to his tenure in Tuscaloosa, Burton has provided the spark to the Alabama passing game and gave quarterback Jalen Milroe a consistent target he has desperately needed.
Thirteen of Milroe’s 33 pass attempts went Burton’s way and he was the explosive threat Saban and the offense have been looking for averaging 21.9 yards per reception.
Alabama also saw big contributions from sophomore Isaiah Bond who posted seven receptions for 96 yards including a 52-yard touchdown in the first half of play.
After the game, Burton shared that he’s taking on a greater role as a leader in the wide receiver room, and has confidence in Bond and the rest of the group to have break-out games down the line.
“I honestly just want to take on the role of being a leader to them, you know, regardless of who,” Burton said. “Because I can have a game like that, (Bond) can have a game like that, (Kobe Prentice) can have a game like that, (Ja’Corey Brooks) can have a game like that. Whoever’s day it is, it’s the other receivers’ job to support them.”
With Burton’s help Alabama proved it could not only win ugly but also win through the air which will be a great help in balancing out the offense and finally giving the team its clear top target.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
