Ja’Corey Brooks raves about early energy from Malik Benson

This offseason, the Alabama Crimson Tide retained their top two receiving threats from last season, Jermaine Burton and Ja’Corey Brooks. And, as an added bonus, Alabama was also able to pick up more talent for their wideout room after they recruited Malik Benson out of the junior college ranks. The Crimson Tide beat out rivals LSU, Tennessee, and others to acquire Benson.

So far, Brooks has loved what he’s seen from his new Crimson Tide teammate and recently raved about the energy he’s brought to the team since arriving.

“I’ve been loving his energy, man, since he came in. Since the bowl game, he’s been coming in and working, bringing positive energy. You know, I always want that leadership quality. So, I’ve been liking his energy so far,” said Brooks.

According to On’3 Industry Rankings, Benson was the nation’s number one overall recruit from junior college. The six-foot-one wideout played at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, KS.

In his first season there, Benson recorded 43 catches for 1229 yards and 11 touchdowns over an 11-game span. That would earn him first-team NJCAA D1 All-American honors. Benson then followed that performance with 54 catches, 123 yards, and 10 touchdowns the following season. Benson would leave Hutchinson Community College as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 2152 in just two seasons there.

Benson will look to be a big-time weapon for the Crimson Tide’s offense in 2023. And pairing him with Burton and Brooks makes for an exciting trio of wide receivers at Alabama. Now all the Crimson Tide needs to do is sort out who will have the honor of connecting with these three on the field as Alabama’s starting quarterback next season.

Brooks on Alabama’s QB battle

Alabama will have no easy task in replacing 2021 Heisman Trophy winner and potential No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Bryce Young, and the quarterback competition remains ongoing this spring.

Fighting for the job are redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe and redshirt freshman Ty Simpson. Brooks has had a chance to work with both, and he noted some improvement from Simpson.

“I seen a lot of improvement from him,” Brooks said. “Also both quarterbacks, they both competing and hard-working and they getting the job done.”

Milroe, of course, was the quarterback who stepped in last season when Young went down with a shoulder injury in the middle of the season. He helped the team steady itself after a rough start in the Arkansas game, eventually guiding the team to a safe win.

He was a little less convincing in a subsequent game against Texas A&M, but Alabama did eventually come out with the win.

On the year, Milroe finished 31-of-53 passing for 297 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He also added 31 carries for 263 yards and a touchdown.

Milroe is an excellent runner, the real question is how he’ll fare as a passer. To that end, though, the receivers like Brooks are making sure to put in some extra time this spring on things like routes and timing.

“We always take extra time to build with both, all of them, not even just them first two,” Brooks said. “But every quarterback that we’ve got, because we’ve got to get the chemistry because you never know whose name could be called.”