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Returning starters: None
Starters lost: Calvin Ridley, Cam Sims, Robert Foster
TOP CANDIDATES
While Alabama has no proven upperclassmen at the wideout position, three sophomores bring a lot of promise. Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith and Jerry Jeudy all averaged better than 18 yards per catch last season while Calvin Ridley was the clear focal point of the passing game. They combined for 34 catches for 653 and 11 touchdowns. With Ridley now playing for the Atlanta Falcons, they will be expected to grow into leadership roles.
There are a number of other candidates to work into the mix, including 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman Tyrell Shavers and Xavien Marks, the only senior with experience.
NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Calvin Ridley, Amari Cooper and Julio Jones all made major impacts as freshman wideouts at Alabama in recent years. Jaylen Waddle may be the next to do so. He’s not imposing at 5-foot-10 and 177 pounds, but Waddle has speed to burn and was rated as the No. 5 prospect at his position in the country out of high school.
YOU NEED TO KNOW
Four of the top 10 single-season leaders in receiving yards by a player in Alabama history have come in the last four years: Amari Cooper (2014), Ridley (2015 and ‘17) and ArDarius Stewart (2016).
OUTLOOK
For a position with no returning starters, Alabama has reason to be optimistic about its receiving corps. The trio of Ruggs, Smith and Jeudy made an impression last year while Ridley was the key target, and each will have room to shine now that he has departed for the NFL. Whether one receiver steps ahead of the rest to become the go-to receiver or they combine to do it by committee, Alabama has ample talent to make the passing game effective.
KEY STAT
11
Eleven different players caught touchdown passes last season (including defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne). Of those players, seven are back. Ruggs led UA with six scoring receptions last season.
QUOTABLE
“It’s not just one person. It’s not one dynamic receiver. It’s everybody, the whole group.”
– DeVonta Smith
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