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You wouldn’t know it from watching the Crimson Tide play, but Alabama does have pass catchers other than Amari Cooper.
While does Cooper the bulk of the receiving work for quarterback Blake Sims, seeing more than 35 percent of the team’s targets (a number that’s way down from mid-season, partially thanks to Cooper missing the majority of the Western Carolina game), with 69 more targets and 95 more receptions than the next-closest receiver.
Don’t be fooled, though; Alabama has certainly has some talent in the receiving corps, even if they don’t get a lot of work. Get to know some of the secondary receivers before Saturday’s SEC title game.
DeAndrew White
Stats: 33 rec., 338 yards, 3 TD
The senior receiver has had some nicks and bruises throughout the season, missing two games early in the season and parts of others. He’s not exactly a big-play guy, but has a knack for making crucial plays. All of his three scores this season have come in the fourth quarter or overtime, including the game-winning scores against LSU and Arkansas. White is sure-handed, catching nearly 60 percent of his targets, per ncaasavant.com, but he only averages 10.2 yards per reception.
O.J. Howard
Stats: 13 rec. 226 yards, 0 TD
Big things were expected of the sophomore tight end, but so far he hasn’t lived up to those expectations. Howard didn’t have a catch through three games and was plagued by drops during the first half of the season. He told the media this week that part of the problem was not going up to get the ball, a problem he says he’s corrected. Howard has 7 catches over the last month, including a big one against Auburn last week.
Christion Jones
Stats: 16 rec., 224 yards, 0 TD
Nick Saban has called Jones a team leader this season, but he hasn’t produced at receiver like many expected the senior would. He only has 28 targets through 12 games, although his yards per catch have risen to 14 from 9.4 last season. Jones has the confidence of his quarterback, so it won’t be a surprise if Sims looks to him in crucial siutations.
T.J. Yeldon
Stats: 15 rec., 180 yards, 1 TD
Alabama’s starting running back gets plenty of work in the passing game; he’s the Tide’s best pass protector in the backfield, and he has the hands and talent to make good things happen when he gets the ball. Yeldon’s only had one game this season without a catch, so it’s a safe bet that Sims will look his way at some point in the SEC Championship.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
