247Sports put together several position universities to showcase the universities that are doing the best job sending players to the NFL at positions such as tight end, quarterback, wide receiver, running back and so on. According to 247Sports, the University of Alabama is currently producing the best running backs. But that’s not all. The Crimson Tide was also named the second best WRU “wide receiver university” behind the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Here’s how 247Sports explains the decision-making process: “We measured that success by tallying the draft picks and assigning one point for a seventh rounder, seven points for a first rounder and the corresponding values in between. Last month we broke down the programs that are developing at a high level on the defensive side of the ball. This week, it’s all about offense. Today we dig into the wide receiver position.”
Simply put, they are analyzing the draft picks within the last 5 years for each university. So it’s not shocking at all that the Crimson Tide is No. 2 in sending wide receivers to the NFL and has been deemed the second best “WRU” in the country.
In the last five years, four Alabama running backs have gone on to play in the NFL
Here’s what 247Sports had to say about Alabama and its success in the wide receiver position:
“Typically, Alabama finds one South Florida workhorse at wide receiver and rides him all the way to a first-round draft picks: Amari Cooper in 2015, Calvin Ridley in 2018, Jerry Jeudy in 2020. Another South Florida stud named Jacorey Brooks recently committed with the potential to be the next in line. The difference between the Calvin Ridley and Amari Cooper offenses and today’s Alabama is that those guys aren’t alone anymore. Henry Ruggs III was a first-rounder in 2020 and DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle look like strong first-round candidates for 2021.”
It’s honestly crazy to think about how much the dynamic and structure of Alabama’s offensive game plan has changed since Nick Saban’s arrival. Sure, Amari Cooper was a legendary receiver at Alabama, but the Crimson Tide relied heavily on their running game.
Over the past few seasons, the Tide transitioned to a more passing game plan with less running plays than we’ve seen in years. Will that change this year? Will Mac Jones and Najee Harris lead Alabama back to the CFB Playoff with a more old style game plan? Or will Jones find deep targets in Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, and more?
Regardless, both Smith and Waddle have the chance to both be first round picks next season. Most NFL Mock Draft today have both of them as high first round picks.
And if they both are able to split the reps like Jeudy and Ruggs did last season, we could see 2 more Alabama wide receivers become huge names in the NFL next year.
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