As we continue through the offseason, Roll Tide Wire has decided to bring fans a quick snapshot of each scholarship player listed on Alabama’s 2020 football roster.
Each day, we’ll release anywhere from 2-4 player profiles giving fans a glimpse into the players who will be available this upcoming season. Whether that’s size, classification, hometowns or recruiting rankings coming out of high school, we’ve got you covered.
Also included in each article is a quick recap letting you know what to expect from that player for the upcoming 2020 season and beyond.
Next up on the list is freshman wide receiver Thaiu Jones-Bell out of Hallandale (Fla.).
Thaiu Jones-Bell, Wide Receiver
Height: 6-0 / Weight: 190
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Hallandale (Fla.)
High School: Miami Carol City High School
HS ranking (247Sports): 4-star / No. 143 overall / No. 25 WR / No. 22 FLA
HS ranking (Rivals): 3-star / N/A overall / No. 56 WR / No. 64 FLA
Analysis: The difference of opinions on Thaiu Jones-Bell from the two major recruiting services, 247Sports and Rivals.com, couldn’t be more different.
247Sports had the Florida native as a borderline top 100 player (No. 104) and top 25 receiver while Rivals only listed him as a three-star prospect ranked outside the top 50 receivers.
Even with Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III off to the NFL, don’t expect Jones-Bell to have a significant impact in Year 1. As mentioned many times in other articles, the top two options will be DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, while the No. 3 spot will more than likely be some sort of combination of John Metchie, Slade Bolden and Tyrell Shavers.
Still, Jones-Bell fits the mold of a lot of the other receivers who have come through Tuscaloosa recently, as he can play all three positions effectively with above-average route running and soft, reliable hands. Expect the 2021 season to go differently for him.
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