National Signing Day has come and gone, and Alabama’s 2020 recruiting class is officially set. There were 25 total members (26, if you count North Carolina grad transfer tight end Carl Tucker) with talent across the board.
In order for fans to get to know the Crimson Tide’s newest players, we have laid out a “get to know them” article for each member.
Next man up on the list is four-star wide receiver Javon Baker out of McEachern High School in Powder Springs (Ga.).
Javon Baker, Wide Receiver
Hometown: Powder Springs (Ga.)
High school: McEachern
Size: 6-1, 196
Early enrollee: No
247Sports composite ranking: 4-star / No. 199 overall / No. 34 WR
247Sports ranking: 4-star / No. 323 overall / No. 56 WR
Rivals ranking: 4-star / No. 109 overall / No. 20 WR
ESPN ranking: 4-star / 80 overall grade / No. 45 WR
Commitment date: Nov. 25, 2018
Signing date: Feb. 5, 2020
Where does he fit in? When evaluating Javon Baker, there’s a lot to like. First off, he’s probably going to be playing his freshman season at Alabama at 6-foot-1, 200-plus pounds, which is excellent size.
Baker isn’t going to be the type of player to thrive winning vertical routes, but his ability on short-to-medium routes should allow him to develop into a solid X- or H-receiver for the Crimson Tide.
Don’t expect early playing time for the Georgia native, however. DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle will not act as the offense’s top two receivers, with a mix of John Metchie, Slade Bolden, Tyrell Shavers and Xavier Williams working behind them.
If any of the three true freshman receivers (Baker, Thaiu Jones-Bell and Traeshon Holden) want to see the field, it will more than likely have to come on special teams and in mop-up duty. 2021 could be a different story, however.
Previous players:
DT Jah-Marien Latham
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