Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham was amongst the three players selected by Nick Saban to attend SEC Media Days in Nashville this week. Latham is entering his second season as a starter for the Crimson Tide and is now one of the leaders on offense.
But with quarterback Bryce Young’s departure and Tommy Rees kickstarting his first year on the job as offensive coordinator, there are a few question marks throughout the team’s offense.
One of the areas in question is the wide receiver room which has been a strength of Alabama’s passing attacks in the past but has recently shown some inconsistency. Although the team is still a few months away from officially ironing things out, Latham shared which receivers he believes could be big contributors this fall.
“I think we got a lot of guys who are eager to play, eager to show who they are, guys who are returning like Ja’Corey Brooks and Jermaine Burton,” Latham said. “I think those guys are looking to take that leadership role and trying to be better than the year before.”
Burton was the team’s leading receiver in 2022 reeling in 40 receptions for 677 yards and seven touchdowns. Brooks’ production was nearly identical recording 39 catches for 674 yards and eight touchdowns on the year.
Despite the combined production proving to be solid, neither truly developed as a consistent top target which is something Alabama lacked severely at times.
Along with Burton as Brooks, the Crimson Tide has a number of young high-profile prospects looking for their opportunity to break through this season. Latham also mentioned young and new faces who are working to round out the passing attack.
“Guys like Isaiah Bond and Kobe Prentice, guys like that who are also trying to step into a complete role, along with Kendrick Law and Malik Benson, I think we have a great receiving group,” Latham said. “I think everybody is looking to compete and be great. I think we have a really good offense.”
Prentice sa2 the most playing time of the youngsters in 2022 tallying 31 receptions for 337 yards and two touchdowns, but Law and Bond have both flashed their abilities whether it came last season or in this past A-Day.
Benson is the freshest face of the room arriving in Tuscaloosa last December as the No. 1 JUCO wide receiver. The addition of Benson is one that looks to jumpstart the Crimson Tide’s big play ability with his game-breaking speed.
So although a lot of chatter will be around who will be under center for Alabama this fall, the wide receiver room will surely be one to pay close attention to.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
