Photo from Icon SMI - Kevin Norwood

SDS is going to be starting a series for every program in the SEC on what they need to do to improve in the off-season. Some are very obvious, while others might not be so obvious.

First up, Alabama.

Alabama: Wide Receivers

Coming off their 14th claimed National Title, Alabama fans are riding high. And they should be, no doubt. The Tide ripped through their schedule, ran into a speed bump in Tuscaloosa against LSU, and totally redeemed themselves in New Orleans for the big one.

It is well documented that the Tide are losing several on the defensive side of the football, a whole lot more than on offense. However, I think the biggest need of improvement will not be replacing the guys who left on the defensive side of the football; rather, it will be at wide receiver.

Alabama has to have some guys step up here at receiver.

The offensive line will protect the veteran quarterback AJ McCarron; the Tide will run the football; I’m just not sure who’s going to step up at wide receiver to make those big catches.

Leading receiver Marquis Maze is gone. The second, third and fourth leading receivers – tight end Brad Smelley, running back Trent Richardson and Darius Hanks – are gone as well.

Who will step up?

The players who are returning for the Tide at receiver – Kenny Bell, DeAndrew White and Kevin Norwood – caught only 42 passes in 2011. All three combined for 596 yards and four touchdowns on the year as well. Norwood, however, looked rather impressive in the National Championship game against LSU.

Along with Bell, White and Norwood, Alabama will get 6’4″ JUCO transfer Duron Carter, who had to sit out due to one class a year ago, and three freshmen to work with in Eddie Williams, Chris Black and Amari Cooper. This is a talented group that could take them to the next level at receiver. However, there is a lot of work to do in this department during the off-season.

Carter looks to be the real deal, and a guy who can step in and play immediately. He has great genes coming from who will be NFL Hall-of-Famer Cris Carter.

However, the true talent of those four above is Eddie Williams. Williams is 6’4, and he could either play receiver or safety. Williams, however, should get his shot to play receiver, and I think he will be dynamic. But can we really expect him to step up and play like Sammy Watkins from a year ago at Clemson? It’s certainly too early to tell, but he has all the physical tools.

We know Alabama will field a good defense because they have recruited very well there and have a head coach who can coach ‘em up; we know the offensive line will be fine, along with quarterback and running back. However, in my mind, I think Alabama’s biggest question mark is at receiver with so many pass-catchers gone.