Bryce Young: John Metchie III is 'cornerstone' of Alabama's offense

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young on Thursday spoke highly of junior wide receiver John Metchie III, saying that the Canadian is well-positioned to be the focal point of the Crimson Tide offense.

Metchie is one of the few returning pieces of Alabama’s national championship-winning team last season, and he noticeably expanded his role down the stretch following Jaylen Waddle’s injury. Overall, despite starting the season as former quarterback Mac Jones’ third wideout, Metchie finished with 55 catches for 916 yards and six touchdowns, averaging a substantial 16.7 yards per catch. This season, he should be the focal point of the passing game, as Waddle and DeVonta Smith have since been drafted.

“There’s a lot there,” Young said with a smile when asked what about Metchie impresses him. “Metchie has been really good for us, being kind of that veteran presence for us in the receiving core, someone who’s come back, someone who’s definitely dependable and someone who’s got a lot of experience. He brings a lot of that to not only his own game but to the entire team.”

Leadership aside, Metchie has a chance to play an enormous role in Alabama’s offense this fall, as he figures to be Young’s top target in 2021. Last season was Metchie’s first with much responsibility in the offense, and this season, the former four-star recruit has as big a role as can be, according to Young.

“He’s someone who played a big role on the team last year and is going to play a big role this year. He’s someone that’s been really a cornerstone of our offense,” Young said. “He’s helped a lot tremendously when it comes to leadership and leading us as an offense, and on the field, obviously, there are things he does on the field that are just special. He makes my job a lot easier at quarterback. “

Metchie had the second-most receiving yards on the Crimson Tide last season, trailing only Smith, and his six touchdowns also only trailed the Eagles’ 2021 first-round draft selection.

As a recruit, Metchie was a bit of a late bloomer — he was born in Taiwan, before moving to Ghana, then eventually to Canada at the age of six; he didn’t move to the United States until high school, putting him a step behind in the recruiting scene. He quickly made up ground, though, and was ranked the No. 7 player from New Jersey. Only time will tell if Metchie’s collegiate development can progress as fast as in high school.