According to Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, there is a sophomore tight end that’s become “a more complete player” in fall camp.
Marshall Pritchett is entering his sophomore season, and he’s viewed by the offensive staff as a guy that can make plays in the passing game and be an effective blocker.
Grubb told the media a few weeks ago that the tight end room was one of the bright spots of fall camp, and Grubb highlighted Pritchett’s growth when speaking to reporters on Tuesday.
“It starts with Marshall Pritchett,” Grubb said. “He’s stepped up as a blocker. He’s become a more complete player in that regard where I think he was viewed as a guy going into spring and summer, like line of scrimmage, is this guy gonna be able to get it done? And so, he took that part really seriously. I think he got a lot better at it, but the playmaker part in Marshall is he’s a weapon out there. He can truly block and then expand the outside, getting a mismatch on a safety and really play ball. So, I think from his standpoint, he’s doing a great job.”
The 6-foot-5, 246-pound tight end contributed on special teams in all 15 games the Crimson Tide played last season, and he was able to haul in seven passes for 57 yards in the opportunities he was given as a freshman.
At Alabama football’s media day, sophomore wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks said that Pritchett is one of the best pass catchers on the team, adding that Pritchett is talented at making contested catches.
The South Carolina native is one of many tight ends that are looking to carve out a role for themselves in Alabama’s passing game, but being a solid blocker is something that could win over the Alabama coaching staff as the need for a stronger blocking in the run game is high.
Alabama will start its season off at home with East Carolina as the visiting team.
