The University of Alabama had an underrated wide receiver in the Nick Saban era that personified toughness.
He walked around with a sledge hammer, intimidating opponents in pregame. This individual was a playmaker in space, savvy route runner, good speed, reliable hands, but he enjoyed blocking for others more than scoring. He loved getting into the end zone, but punishing opposition to help his teammates score made him unselfish. ArDarius Stewart, a former three-time Southeastern Conference (2014-16) and 2015 College Football Playoff National Champion, is that player. He prided himself on being an enforcer at receiver. It has been eight years since the Tide had a player like Stewart, but does it have a new enforcer?
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JaMarcus Shephard, Alabama’s wide receivers coach, beams with pride when he is asked about Kendrick Law.
The Louisiana native has been on the cusp of a breakout season the last two years. He arrived as a talented four-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class. Law is in the same mold as Stewart was. He can play inside and outside, move in motion and carry the football as a running back, take a jet sweep, pop pass, or end around hand-off for a huge gain, and excel as a return specialist.
The 5-foot-11 versatile weapon added eight pounds in the summer, increasing from 201 to 209.
Shephard loves Law’s skill set, but his blocking has him really excited.
Kendrick Law is an electric playmaker, but JaMarcus Shephard dives into what the Alabama WR does the best:
“Kendrick has developed into our enforcer in the room. He’s a violent blocker and has tremendous technique. He brings that mentality.”@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/FoCu42hdBV
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) August 28, 2024
“Kendrick has really developed himself into being our enforcer at the position,” Shephard said.
“I take a lot of pride in the group blocking on the perimeter and being violent in our blocking, but having tremendous technique. We were talking yesterday, alright, we all know who, we all know how, but it is about who wants to block. That is what it’s all about. We know where to go, we know the technique for it, now it is about desire and want to. That young man always has the desire and want to every single play, every single time, without exception to block on the perimeter. I really can’t tell you how much I appreciate him and how he brings that mentality to the group. I can always point to him and his actions.”
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Law’s unselfishness is going to create scoring opportunities for many of his teammates.
He looks to get his as well, but seeing him become an enforcer in blocking is significant for the Tide.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
