Isaiah Horton is Turning the Corner as a Blocker in New System

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - When Isaiah Horton transferred from Miami, questions followed him- not about his athleticism or potential as a pass catcher, but about his blocking. At Miami, Horton struggled to contribute as a physical presence in the run game. Now at Alabama, it seems Horton is flipping the narrative with the guidance of the Alabama staff.

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"I guess it hasn’t been anything that I’ve seen, ever, feeling that it’s a deficiency in any way. He’s a physical presence out there in every way, catching the ball, breaking tackles, and that’s carried over to blocking," said DeBoer when asked how Horton's improvement is coming along, especially with blocking.

Blocking for a receiver isn't just about brute strength - it's about awareness, mindset, and buy-in, as well as the ability to read defenses and anticipate plays. For Horton, it seems the transition has been more mental than physical. While the athletic tools were always there, he's now becoming more diverse by working on his blocking skills.

"From a physical standpoint, it shouldn’t be an issue. It’s a mindset (thing) to me. It’s positioning and understanding who we’re trying to get the ball to," said DeBoer. He continued, "I can think of some drills earlier this spring where he excelled at it. A lot of it is understanding what we’re trying to accomplish, the teaching, and then the want-to."

The mindset shift could be key to unlocking Horton's full potential. With his size, speed, and improved understanding of the scheme, he's on pace to become a more complete receiver - one who can contribute on every down, not just the passing game.

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