In a recent episode of the Glory Daze podcast, former Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel claims to have been in daily contact with former Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Manziel added context saying that he paid close attention to which players the coaching staff was recruiting following his departure. Waddle was one of the players that the Aggies coaching staff really liked, and Manziel pushed hard to get Waddle to sign with the Aggies.
While the Aggies were a contender until signing day, Waddle ultimately signed with Alabama. The rest is history. Waddle had a very successful college career with the Crimson Tide. The Texas native played in 34 games in three seasons in Tuscaloosa. He reeled in 106 receptions for 1,999 yards and 17 touchdowns. In addition, Waddle was a key contributor on special teams. He had 38 punt returns for 733 yards and two touchdowns.
Waddle was drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. He has since gone on to have a successful career with the organization. If Texas A&M had been able to sign Waddle, it would have been interested to see how Alabama’s wide receiver room would have shaped out. He was an integral piece of the position group in each of his three seasons at The Capstone.
The recruiting pitch from of the most renowned college football players in history did not work. The question is: What if it had?
@jmanziel2 I tried to make Jaylen Waddle an Aggie. @glorydazepod #dolphins #nfl #alabama
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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
