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Alabama Football: 3 Tide players with most to prove in offseason

By Michael Hanich

Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (70) celebrates with the CFP National Championship trophy after beating the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (70) celebrates with the CFP National Championship trophy after beating the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama football wide receiver John Metchie III Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports /

2. John Metchie III – Wide Receiver (Jr.)

For the past three seasons, the Alabama Crimson Tide have focused on developing an elite passing offense.

This season, the passing game progressed beyond wildest expectations as Alabama finished second in the nation in points per game (48.5) and second in passing yards per game (349.2). Quarterback Mac Jones was the orchestrator of the passing game but it was Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith that was the main impact player.

This offseason, the Tide will be without Smith or versatile, dynamic wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who declared early for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Metchie was second on the team in receptions (55), receiving yards (916), and receiving touchdowns (6). Metchie will be a junior this next season for Alabama and will take over the role as the number one receiver.

This past season, Metchie had two games where he eclipsed 150 receiving yards and two games where he caught two touchdowns. His best performance of the season was in week two of the SEC schedule at home to Texas A&M where he caught five receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two touchdowns in the 2020 Iron Bowl win over the Auburn Tigers.

Metchie developed well and got plenty of experience this past season. He will, however, be the main receiver after a long and successful line of NFL-caliber receivers since 2008 including Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, and now Smith and Waddle.

There will be a lot of attention on Metchie to see if he can replicate the same amount of impact from his predecessors.

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