One position on Alabama’s roster had Nick Saban sort of concerned last season; however, the Crimson Tide may have its answer.
He spoke a few times in 2019 on the program needing more depth, consistency and explosiveness at tight end.
In the departures of O.J. Howard and Irv Smith, the Tide has not had a playmaker at the position.
Saban even took to the NCAA transfer portal this spring, and landed a commitment from Carl Tucker of North Carolina.
Despite having Tucker, Miller Forristall, Major Tennison and Cameron Latu on the roster, the next major star could be Jahleel Billingsley.
He enters his sophomore season in the fall and the four-star from Chicago (Ill.) has tremendous potential to be a marquee receiver and blocker.
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An alumnus of Phillips Academy, Billingsley played in nine games last year.
He caught two passes, with one of them having an athletic finish. The 6-foot-4, 228-pounder grabbed a pass from Tua Tagovailoa and motored up the left side for 19 yards versus Mississippi State. He ended the play by running a defensive back out of bounds, to the sheer joy of his teammates. Billingsley has the combination of power and speed with soft hands.
He’s continuing to grow as a route runner and per Saban, he has made some improvement as a blocker.
“We have been using him more and more in the games each week,” Saban said of Billingsley last season. “He has a lot of potential. I do think he can make a contribution. I think knowledge and experience is really important to him, so he is confident in what he’s supposed to do. He’s a very athletic guy.”
A sure-handed tight end is a quarterback’s best friend.
Signal callers such as Greg McElory and A.J. McCarron had Colin Peek, Preston Dial and Michael Williams catching passes from them.
The trio of Blake Sims, Jacob Coker and Jalen Hurts all had O.J. Howard, while Tagovailoa was fortunate to have Irv Smith in the slot.
Billingsley can be the guy for Mac Jones.
He guided Phillips Academy to the 5A State Championship as a junior and the Class 6A state quarterfinals in his senior year. As a two-sport athlete, Billingsley prides himself on being in the best position to dominate his opponent.
He was the first player from Illinois that Alabama signed since 1997 and he’s ready to be a star.
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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.
