The University of Alabama has produced numerous star receivers, some that have gone on to play big roles in the NFL.
Names like Julio Jones and Amari Cooper are standouts.
Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs are the more recent stars who have shined in 2019 and will be making their way into the NFL next season.
With Jeudy and Ruggs leaving the program, that leaves only a few recognizable names on the Crimson Tide receiving corps, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle.
However, it takes more than two to tango in this case. So who will be the receiver that has a breakout season in 2020 and becomes a household name like the aforementioned players?
There are lots of young, untapped talent on the team like Tyrell Shavers and, the ever versatile, Slate Bolden, among others.
There seems to be one name that was called only four times in 2019 that catches my eye, John Metchie III.
The Canadian native was a four-star recruit in the 2019 class, his commitment to Alabama garnered plenty of attention as he was also recruited by Texas, Georgia and South Carolina.
Metchie didn’t get to see the field too much in 2019, which would make 2020 his R-Freshman season after playing in under four games last year.
While he did get some playing time, it was limited to only four receptions for 23 yards, probably not as productive as he would have hoped, but when you’re playing on the same team as four potential first-round picks over the next two seasons, he had to have been thankful to have seen some action.
He is listed at exactly six feet tall and weighs in at 195 lbs. according to the 2019 Alabama Football roster.. Not great measurable, but nothing to complain about if he can get the job done.
In his Senior year of high school, Metchie posted 738 yards of of 35 catches for seven touchdowns. These stats earned him an impressive ranking of being the No. 3 receiver in the state of New Jersey.
In the 2019 A-Day game, Metchie reeled in five passes for 133 yards, which was enough for him to be named the MVP of the game.
After the game, coach Saban had high praise for the true-Freshman receiver.
“He plays fast, has got some strength,” Saban said, “I think this guy is going to help us next year and I think he’ll be a good player for us.”
Well, he wasn’t utilized all too much in the 2019 season, as Saban had prematurely suggested, but it does show that the Alabama head coach has a strong faith in Metchie’s talents and skillset.
We are still far away from any depth chart or starter talk, but John Metchie III might be a name you want to get familiar with before the 2020 season begins, because it seems as if he may be the new face to take over the infamous Alabama receiving corps.
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