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Alabama is loaded with young talent at wide receiver.
Now that we have completed the defensive side of the ball in our position previews, we shift our focus to the offensive side. Today we will look at the wide receivers.
Let’s get started!
We are 11 days from Alabama football kicking off its season on the road against the Missouri Tigers to start a 10-game, SEC only schedule.
There has been a lot of uncertainty surrounding college football over the last couple of months, but as of right now, the season still looks like it’s a go for the SEC, ACC and Big 12.
So, what does that mean? It means that we can continue the Countdown to Kickoff en route to the Crimson Tide — and the rest of the SEC — getting things underway on Sept. 26.
With it now being Sept. 15, we are officially 11 days away from the start!
Two true freshmen are currently wearing the No. 11 for Alabama. Wide receiver Traeshon Holden, the four-star wide receiver out of Kissemme (Fla.), wears it for the offense while Kristian Story wears it on defense.
Story was a four-star athlete in the 2020 recruiting class. He played at Lanett High School in Alabama.
Prior to those two first-year players, the number was worn by two others in 2019. Former cornerback Scooby Carter, who entered the transfer portal earlier in the offseason and ended up at Mississippi Gulf Coast College, and former standout receiver Henry Ruggs III.
Rugg just completed his first NFL game as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders after being the top receiver taken in the 2020 NFL Draft back in April.
Stay tuned for more updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!
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True freshman WR Traeshon Holden is the next man up on Alabama football’s player snapshot, which highlights each scholarship player.
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 true freshman wide receiver Traeshon Holden out of Harbor City (Calif.).
Height: 6-3 / Weight: 196
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Kissimmee (Fla.)
High School: Narbonne High School (Calif.)
HS ranking (247Sports): 4-star / No. 232 overall / No. 41 WR / No. 22 CA
HS ranking (Rivals): 4-star / No. 244 overall / No. 46 WR / No. 24 CA
Analysis: Traeshon Holden might not be in a position to earn significant early playing time for the Crimson Tide in 2020, but that doesn’t mean he should be a forgotten member in the receiver room.
The four-star true freshman brings top-notch size and length (listed at 6-foot-3, 196 pounds already) to the position, and he uses his body well when setting up opposing defensive backs. He’s also got great hands and can push defenses vertically.
DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle will slot into the top two spots on the depth chart this upcoming season, but the battle for No. 3 could get interesting. Holden should be considered a long shot in comparison to John Metchie, Slade Bolden and Tyrell Shavers, but that doesn’t mean he won’t see the field.
Check out more on Holden from Roll Tide Wire here.
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When watching his tape, it’s hard not to notice his strict route-running and ability to move wherever needed in order to bring the ball i…
After losing star wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III to the NFL, Alabama fans now look to Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith as the two receivers to lead the 2020 Crimson Tide offense.
John Metchie III and Tyrell Shavers are two names the Alabama fanbase may have heard before, and it’s likely they will hear their names called more often in 2020. The both of them are poised to step up this season to help the offense maintain there elite level of play.
One freshman receiver may be able to have an impact in his first year in Tuscaloosa, Traeshon Holden.
Holden, who is native to Kissimmee, Florida, finished his high school career at Narbonne high school in Harbor City, California.
In his senior season, Holden reeled in 31 receptions for 512 yards, an average of 16.5 yards-per-catch and seven touchdowns. These stats earned Holden four stars from 247Sports.
The receiver is listed at 6-foot-3, 196 pounds on the Alabama roster.
The big-body freshman says the players he looks up to are Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Amari Cooper – all Alabama products.
What makes Holden so special is that he is a severe down-field threat and is not afraid to run through defensive backs to complete his routes.
All of his skills can be seen in his highlight reel posted by AL.com
Smith has the all-around skill, Waddle has the speed and elusiveness and Holden can offer strength, speed and hands.
When watching his tape, it’s hard not to notice his strict route-running and ability to move wherever needed in order to bring the ball in. His long legs and large frame allow him to not only get down the field quickly, but to also reach around or over any defensive back that may be in his way.
With Tua Tagovailoa in the rearview mirror for the Crimson Tide, Mac Jones will likely take over. From what we have seen, Jones is not as confident as Tua when throwing downfield. Having Holden’s presence can be a big help to Jones.
Let’s also not forget that Holden is also an elite kick returner. When watching his film, it’s hard not to be impressed after he disappears into a pile and then comes out the other end, seemingly untouched.
There’s some work to be done on Holden’s end though. He is a true freshman trying to get playing time amidst a squad of tight-knit players that have shown the coaching staff who they are capable of.
However, if he is able to get it one during the preseason training and establish himself as a viable receiver that can help Alabama succeed, expect to hear his name called throughout the 2020 season.
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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 …
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 is four-star wide receiver Traeshon Holden out of Narbonne High School in Harbor City (Calif.).
Hometown: Harbor City (Calif.)
High school: Narbonne
Size: 6-3, 195 (6-3, 196 on official Alabama roster)
Early enrollee: Yes
247Sports composite ranking: 4-star / No. 232 overall / No. 41 WR
247Sports ranking: 4-star / No. 185 overall / No. 32 WR
Rivals ranking: 4-star / No. 244 overall / No. 46 WR
ESPN ranking: 4-star / 81 overall grade / No. 41 WR
Commitment date: Mar. 2, 2019
Signing date: Dec. 18, 2019
Where does he fit in? Wide receiver was a position that the Alabama coaching staff felt the need to target in the 2020 recruiting class — and rightfully so.
While DeVonta Smith did announce that he would return for his senior season (a major development for the Crimson Tide’s 2020 outlook), the team still lost Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III to the NFL.
With Smith’s return and Jaylen Waddle going into his third season, the top two spots on the depth chart appear to be locked up, and John Metchie currently has a sizable lead for the No. 3 role. After depth chart status those three, however, should be up for grabs.
At 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Traeshon Holden brings top-notch length to the position. And while his skill set somewhat differs from what Alabama fans have grown used to seeing from the wide receiver group, he should be a nice change of pace to the other players on the roster, including fellow true freshmen Thaiu Jones-Bell and Javon Baker.
Previous players:
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Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period last Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees. Next up on the list, …
Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period last Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees.
Next up on the list, four-star wide receiver Traeshon Holden.
Hometown: Harbor City (Calif.)
High school: Narbonne
Size: 6-3, 195
247Sports composite ranking: 4-star / No. 197 overall / No. 35 WR
Rivals ranking: 4-star / No. 244 overall / No. 45 WR
Commitment date: Mar. 2, 2019
Signing date: Dec. 18, 2019
Where does he fit in? Wide receiver was a position that the Alabama coaching staff felt the need to target in the 2020 recruiting class — and rightfully so.
While there have been rumors that DeVonta Smith and/or Henry Ruggs III could return next season, that is far from a guarantee at this point. Even if they did, the losses at receiver in 2020 could include that duo, as well as Jaylen Waddle.
To head off some of those losses, the addition of Holden, Thaiu Jones-Bell and current commit Javon Baker was crucial. But that also means that their presence won’t be heavily relied on until at least 2021.
At 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Holden brings top-notch length to the position. And while his skill set somewhat differs from what Alabama fans have grown used to seeing from the wide receiver group, he should be a nice change of pace.
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