In 2018, 19, 20 Alabama recruited a total of 1 WR in the Top 100.
According to Scout. During the same time Notre Dame landed 2 top 100 WRs plus 5 star Mayer. So the idea that they are loading up on 5 star talent at WR doesn't seem to be true.
They had a great WR class in 17 but, they are all gone now (plus Waddle from 18). They did just have another great haul at WR for 2021. However, the "gap" at WR recruiting doesn't seem to be as large as some people think. Maybe the problem lies elsewhere (like scheme and development).
Unless our evaluations are garbage, we should have talent on the edges to compete. Austin, Johnson, Styles and Colzie are all highly rated guys. Plus Mayer and Lenzy (at least Lenzy has elite speed). We also have elite speed with Tyree. No reason our offense can't be more explosive.
Replies to: In 2018, 19, 20 Alabama recruited a total of 1 WR in the Top 100.
They need to be able to play for that to happen
I agree, that we've had some pretty good success recruiting highly rated receivers. A healthy trio of Kevin Austin, Braden Lenzy, and Lawrence Keys would have had a much higher ceiling than what we put forth in 2020 (Skowrenek, McKinley, Wilkins).
The big problem last year was that the three top experienced players were all either completely sidelined or hobbled by injuries. Even Skowronek was crippled by injuries early in the season, and a lot of folks, myself included, had written him off at that point.
I also agree with most that Jordan Johnson could have had some really good playing time this year, but since he's in the doghouse, we won't see his abilities until this spring.
Simply put, even if you have potentially elite players, they can't do much good if they're not available.
You make a great point. Bad scheme and bad position coaching at ND for sure.
NDs most productive WR and the only one with the ability to really get open was developed at another school (Skowronek).
Hopefully Rees will improve. He had a decent first year.
But really needs to focus on the passing game.
But Rees doesn't coach WR's that was the point we don't have a good WR coach.
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Time for Rees to grow up quick
I don't think he was bad in year 1, but there is definitely room for improvement and it will be needed. I suspect next year will be a little bit of a step back year what with losing most of the OL, the QB and two of the top 3 TE's.
Need at least a decent vertical game. We've got some guys that have the size and/or speed, just need a triggerman and maybe some seam TE routes.
Agree.
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Agree, we should have been more explosive this year.
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Metchie,Smith& Waddle could STILL have eligibility next year. What would they use a '19,'20 wr for?
A door stop?
Huh? Smith and Waddle are gone. Metchie was ranked #275 by Scout (way outside Top 100).
The post was about recruiting highly ranked WRs. The fact is that we had comparable, if not better WR recruiting than they did for 3 straight years. So, the depth chart and whether or not they need to play 19/20 WRs is not relevant. But like I said, Waddle and Smith are both gone. So, yes they need to play the 19/20 guys.
Nice post.
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