“O Canada”: Predicting WR John Metchie III’s 2021 Receiving Meters

After appearing in all 13 games for the Crimson Tide en route to its 2021 National Championship, junior wide receiver John Metchie III is set to have a breakout season as "WR1" in Tuscaloosa.

The Canadian ended the abbreviated season impacted by COVID-19 by pulling in 55 receptions, 837 receiving meters (916 yards), six touchdowns, and a forced fumble thanks to the SEC Championship game against Florida.

Considering Metchie averaged 64.4 meters (70.5 yards) per game across the 13 total matchups in his sophomore season, a reasonable projection for a full, non-COVID, season total is around the 1,143 meters (1,250 yards) mark with 14 touchdowns.

Alabama's program record-holder in receiving meters will be competing with rising talents in the receiving room, including junior TE Jahleel Billingsley and notable transfer WR Jameson Williams for targets.

Since his first appearance with the Tide in August of 2019, Alabama has not lost a game when John Metchie III appears with at least one reception.

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Recently, Metchie and 14 of his Tide teammates were named to the 2021 Preseason Coaches All-SEC team, the most selections in the conference. Earlier in the summer he and his teammate, senior RB Brian Robinson Jr, were named to the 2021 Maxwell Award watchlist for college player of the year, won by Bama's DeVonta Smith in 2020.

On Sep. 4, Alabama football opens up the 2021 season with a neutral-site matchup against the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta's Mercedes Benz Stadium at 2:30 p.m. CST.

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