Alabama Football: 5 takeaways from 2019 A-Day Game
3. John Metchie is a weapon, and Alabama is loaded at WR
It’s almost not fair that Alabama has uncovered another legitimate weapon at wide receiver.
Headlined by Biletnikoff Award winner Jerry Jeudy, Alabama’s top four receivers from last season – Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, Devonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle – all returned. An embarrassment of riches.
After A-Day, it’s clear that the rich have gotten even richer, with the emergence of true freshman wide receiver John Metchie. Saban and company unearthed another recruiting gem with Metchie, who was ranked as the No. 40 WR in the country last year according to the 247 composites out of Hightstown, New Jersey.
Metchie flashed excellent speed and ball skills, making five catches for 133 yards. He was named the Dixie Howell A-Day MVP for his efforts. Saban wanted to pump the brakes on his latest freshman playmaker, cautioning that Metchie was playing against other second teamers and not going up against the starting corners.
Even still, it was impossible to not be impressed with the freshman receiver.
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With Metchie looking like a legitimate playmaker, Alabama now has five legitimate options at wide receiver. And that might not be all.
Redshirt freshman Xavier Williams flashed potential, too, including a nasty double-move on freshman Scooby Carter in the first half for a touchdown. Tua bragged on redshirt freshman Slade Bolden throughout the spring, and Bolden looks to be an all-around offensive playmaker. Bolden caught one pass for six yards, and completed a pass for 31 yards on a double-pass trick-play. Look for Alabama to move him around to take advantage of his skillset.
Redshirt sophomore Chardarius Townsend spent the spring getting some reps at running back with Alabama’s depth lacking from Trey Sanders and Keilan Robinson not getting to town until the summer. Townsend looked shifty as a runner, and if that position sticks he could be a difference maker as a receiver out of the backfield.
Tua will have his pick of weapons to throw to next season, and this group has a shot at outpacing the record-breaking offense from a year ago.