He has not gone anywhere, but Jerry Jeudy was in a terrible slump.
In the matchups that followed Duke and New Mexico State, the junior at wide receiver did not look like Alabama’s No. 1 option. The growing confidence of DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III had something to do with it, and Tua Tagovailoa loves spreading the wealth to everyone.
However, for someone who projects as a top-five draft pick, it was weird seeing Jeudy not collect a 100-yard performance in five games and go three games without scoring a touchdown.
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Both happened and while Ceedee Lamb was putting on a show at Oklahoma, a few NFL Draft analysts felt he should be top receiver in next year’s venue. When an injury against Tennessee sidelined Tagovailoa in the following week, Mac Jones made sure his teammate and fellow Floridian would be a priority versus Arkansas at Bryant-Denny Stadium for homecoming.
Jeudy brought in a game-high seven passes for 103 receiving yards and two touchdowns in Alabama’s 48-7 victory.
His 14-yard score in the first quarter was a simple catch, maneuver and get to the endzone while his 40-yard score was him running a great route and Jones placing the pass on target. The former five-star is back on pace to being a 1,000-yard receiver for a second consecutive year as his third 100-yard game has him at 682 yards with eight touchdowns.
Jeudy leads the Tide in receptions (52) and though he is second in yards and scores, he has an opportunity to burn LSU’s secondary next week. He was a menace in Alabama’s 29-0 win last season, posting a game-high eight catches for 103 yards at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
The 6-foot-1, 192-pounder is now nine touchdowns shy of tying and 10 shy of passing former standout, Amari Cooper (31) for most all-time in school history. Jeudy and Ruggs both stand at 22 touchdown catches and for Jeudy, he still wants to prove he’s the best receiver in college football.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
