Alabama Position-By-Position Breakdown: Wide Receivers
It’s only spring, but it’s never too early to start preparing for the fall. In the third installment of a position-by-position breakdown of the Crimson Tide’s 2015 roster heading into spring practice, Tide 99.1 looks at the wide receivers.
Who’s gone:
- Amari Cooper (NFL Draft)
- DeAndrew White (graduated/NFL Draft)
- Christion Jones (graduated/NFL Draft)
- Daniel Geddes (graduated)
- Kyle Kazakevicius (graduated)
Who’s back:
- Parker Barrineau (senior)
- Chris Black (redshirt junior)
- Raheem Falkins (junior)
- Cam Sims (sophomore)
- Derek Kief (redshirt freshman)
- Robert Foster (redshirt sophomore)
- ArDarius Stewart (redshirt sophomore)
- Thayer Weaver (walk-on sophomore)
- Armani Purifoye (walk-on sophomore)
Who’s new: N/A
Keep an eye on: Cam Sims. One of the youngest receivers on the team could be next in line for a leading role (or at least close to it) if his early playing time as a freshman is any indication. Outside of Cooper, White and Jones, the 6-foot-4 Sims was one of the next most frequently used receivers in 2014, playing in 12 of the Crimson Tide’s 14 games. Though he was used primarily as a reliable blocker in run situations, he was also trusted in a more active role at times as well, catching seven passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. His first career catch, a 15-yard first-down reception at Arkansas, helped set up the Tide’s go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter at a time when the offense had been struggling mightily. According to Tuscaloosa News/TideSports.com’s D.C. Reeves, Sims was targeted seven times in SEC play last season, the most out of any wide receiver returnee on the team.
Overview: While it’s doubtful any Alabama receiver will even come close to replicating Cooper’s record-breaking production next season, there should be plenty in the arsenal to match it collectively. In addition to Cooper, the Crimson Tide loses its other top receivers in White and Jones but returns the remainder of its corps, which has mostly been forced into waiting in the wings.
Still, enough has been seen from the returning cast in game action to make out who figures to see their playing time rapidly increase. Black, Stewart and Sims all appear to be in line for the three starting receiver spots as Alabama’s most frequently used wideouts in terms of receptions and snap counts not named Cooper, White or Jones in 2014. Each played a slightly different role than the next with Black appearing to be Jones’ backup in the slot and the speedy Stewart as the next man up in White’s place at flanker. With Cooper having no obvious backup, Sims looked to be more of a case of a player too talented to keep off the field.
Rounding out the next platoon of receivers is Kief, Falkins and Foster, each of whom makes up what Black and Stewart lack in height at 6-foot-3 or taller. Barrineau, a former walk-on-turned-scholarship player this past January, hasn’t been a stranger to the field in spots the past two seasons and could also work his way into the mix.
Predicted 2015 Post-Spring Depth Chart:
WR(X)
1. ArDarius Stewart
2. Robert Foster
WR(Z)
1. Cam Sims
2. Raheem Falkins
WR(H)
1. Chris Black
2. Derek Kief
Still to come:
- Calvin Ridley (Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports Composite rated the five-star wideout from Coconut Creek, Florida as the top player at his position in the 2015 class.)
- Daylon Charlot (The four-star player, who ultimately opted for the Tide over LSU, will be Alabama’s third receiver from Louisiana next season, alongside Falkins and Sims.)
Up next: Tight ends
Previously: