Agiye Hall, Jacorey Brooks poised for big years on Alabama's offense

After losing DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle to the NFL, Alabama is looking to replace two dominant wide receivers on its offense. Add to that sophomore Bryce Young is set to enter his first season as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback. If Alabama hopes to replicate last season’s offensive explosiveness, weapons will need to emerge. Freshmen Agiye Hall and Jacorey Brooks could be exactly what Alabama needs.

Agiye Hall could be see a major role right away

Smith caught 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns in his Heisman-winning 2020 season. And while Waddle was injured for much of the year, he caught 28 passes for 591 yards and four touchdowns. John Metchie, Alabama’s second-leading receiver last year, returns to the fold this season after catching 55 balls for 916 yards and six touchdowns last season.

“Nick Saban has had a ridiculous run of getting big-time receivers, really starting with Julio (Jones),” Fox Big Noon Kickoff’s Bruce Feldman said. “You look at all of the guys they brought in. Agiye Hall, he hit the ground running in the spring. He was a dominant receiver in the spring game. You lose DeVonta Smith, obviously a Heisman winner. And Jaylen Waddle even though he was hurt for much of last year. He was a real playmaker. This is a big, physical receiver that they’re bringing in now in Agiye Hall.

“I think when you’re talking about Bryce Young getting established there as a new quarterback, everyone knows he’s talented. Who will he lean on? He’s got John Metchie back, he’s a really good playmaker. Slade Bolden, I think they feel like they can count on him. But who else is going to be outside? Who’s going to be that guy maybe if they have third-and-long that they can look to or a red zone guy? Agiye Hall looks like he is already going to prime to be that guy. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was a big weapon for them in the red zone this year.”

Jacorey Brooks could also see targets quickly for Alabama

Feldman mostly focused on Hall, Joel Klatt made sure to share the love with Brooks as well. Brooks is a talented and dynamic weapon. Klatt said, that no matter who steps up, Alabama is going to need the unit as a whole to produce.

As Young begins his first year as a starting quarterback, his ability to find weapons that he trusts will be vital to Alabama’s success. With plenty of targets now seemingly available, Hall and Brooks could step into major roles right away on Alabama’s offense.

“Alabama has had the best wide receiver room in the country over the last couple of years,” Klatt said. “I’ll be interested to see these young guys. Jacorey Brooks, He is a huge producer. Comes out of the Miami area. A couple of years ago, he almost had 100 catches in his high school season. He’s huge. But it takes a group. And that’s why you know Brooks and Hall are up there.”

In addition to Smith and Waddle, Alabama lost running back Najee Harris and quarterback Mac Jones to the NFL. Alabama is no stranger to consistently losing talent to the NFL. Their biggest strength as a program is their ability to retool every year with minimal drop off, and ability that could be about to be put to the test once again.