The position group is learning what Kalen DeBoer and JaMarcus Shephard want it to do, but the wide receiver room possesses one quality that has Shephard ready to fast forward Alabama to the regular season.
He is excited about the pure speed he gets to coach. Alabama had a group of receivers in 2019 with Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and John Metchie that had burners. Steve Sarkisian, Alabama’s then offensive coordinator, saw a group that would take a 10-yard slant pass from Tua Tagovailoa and motor for a 90-yard touchdown in nearly every game.
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Can this group compare to the “Rydeouts?” That is a tall order; however, they have a chance to be really good.
Shephard coached two 1,000-plus yard receivers at Washington in 2023 and put three in the National Football League.
In an interview with Tide 100.9, Shephard compared this group of Tide receivers to a fast, expensive car.
“But my goodness, man, they run like Ferraris,” Shephard said to Tide 100.9 about the receivers.
“These guys can run, run. My goodness. I thought I was at the Indianapolis 500 — I’m originally an Indiana native — I thought I was at the Indianapolis 500, the first time I saw all these guys out here running. Goodness, speed all over the place.”
Shephard said the main thing he’s teaching this group is the nuances of playing the receiver position, and getting guys into the right body position to catch the football.
“Knowing when to accelerate, decelerate and reaccelerate at the right time,” Shephard said on what he’s showing the wide outs for Alabama. “Knowing how to get back on top of defenders and being able to catch the ball over your shoulder. All the little details of playing the position. It’s just early because they haven’t played a ton.”
Alabama does not have a proven group, but it has one that’s willing to learn to be great. Kobe Prentice, Kendrick Law, Emmanuel Henderson, Cole Adams, and Jaren Hamilton all have talent. The Tide brought in a transfer in Germie Bernard from Washington and signed several talented freshmen. Ryan Williams is the star of the bunch, but Caleb Odom, Rico Scott, Amari Jefferson, and Aeryn “Bubba” Hampton are really good. Shephard has a good room, yet which guys will emerge as significant playmakers?
We will see soon enough.
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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.
