Ja'Corey Brooks optimistic about Alabama's depth at wide receiver

A year removed from playing with a young, largely unproven receiving corps, things are looking up in the Alabama receiver room. Junior wideout Ja’Corey Brooks explained how the spate of freshmen contributors from 2022 are now suddenly seasoned sophomores and the steady upperclassmen like himself are back for more.

The talent present a year ago has 13 more games of experience and honing their craft under their belt. Speaking to reporters at the outset of fall camp, Brooks shared his optimism for the group.

“Yeah I see every guy improve, even myself. But most of the younger guys as in like the freshmen, even the sophomores, develop in their playbook and a skillset of how they run their routes and what they need to see in the defense. So, we’re all developing,” Brooks said.

Brooks and senior Jermaine Burton — who transferred to Alabama ahead of last season — will come back and lead the way for the receiving corps as upperclassmen. Burton had 40 receptions to Brooks’ 39 in 2022 and had three more receiving yards — 677 to 674. Brooks did outpace Burton by a touchdown, eight to seven.

Junior college transfer Malik Benson also could factor in but he’ll be working for reps against a bevy of sophomores, some of whom who were already called upon as freshmen, and talented true freshmen.

Kobe Prentice and Isaiah Bond caught 31 and 17 passes, respectively, in as true freshmen for the Crimson Tide and scored three combined touchdowns. One or both could be on their way to bigger roles in the 2023 offense, especially if the quarterback battle works out as desired for Alabama.

A year removed from running out a talented group of unknowns, Alabama has a clearer picture of what to expect and ask of the receivers this season. And based on Brooks assessment, it will certainly be better than what they delivered in 2022.

Brooks is high on the work ethic of the Alabama receivers

Last season was the first time since 2017 a Crimson Tide receiver failed to reach 1,000 yards, and they’ll look to bounce back in 2023.

Brooks and Burton are big pieces of the puzzle with both back this year. Most of the receivers are young, though, and don’t have as much experience in the Alabama program as Brooks, who’s in his fourth year in Tuscaloosa.

That said, he likes what he saw throughout the offseason as training camp began.

“We have a great group of guys once again,” Brooks said. “This whole summer, we’ve been working hard, developing our skillsets on and off the field. Mostly on the field right now since, you know, fall camp. Trying to get a lot better with the plays, getting more reps with the quarterbacks — all quarterbacks. We’ve been doing a great job.”