Jameson Williams makes bold statement on backup wide receivers filling in for John Metchie

The Alabama Crimson Tide is No. 1 again but the focus has immediately shifted to replacing the production from wideout John Metchie. Nick Saban confirmed that Metchie has a severe ACL injury on Sunday but Bryce Young‘s top target Jameson Williams isn’t too concerned.

“I feel like we all have to step up with Metch going down,” Williams said. “We all have to step up no matter what it is, we have a lot of talent in the room and big-play mentality.”

The Crimson Tide have five other wideouts behind Williams and Metchie with five or more catches on the year. Slade Bolden has 32 catches for 333 yards and two scores. Freshman Ja’Corey Brooks has just five catches for 79 yards and a score but he’s played in all 13 games this season. Traeshon Holden has played 12 games and caught 15 balls for 211 yards and a score.

“(Holden and Brooks) can do the same things,” Williams said. “I’ve seen flashes of those guys this season and the way they stepped up when their name was called. I think we’re in good shape, I don’t see any drop-offs happening.”

John Metchie went down with a non-contact knee injury in the second quarter of Saturday’s game. He had six receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown before exiting the SEC title game. His season is over with 1,142 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. He’s eligible to enter the 2022 NFL Draft and ranks in the top-15 wideouts available.

JoJo Earle available to step in for Metchie

Nick Saban told reporters that the Tide could get freshman receiver JoJo Earle back soon.

“He is getting to the point where he’s dry-land running and has some opportunity to come back and play this game,” Saban said on Sunday after securing the Cotton Bowl bid.

Chances are very good for Alabama getting Earle back by the College Football Playoff semifinal on Dec. 31 in Texas. Unless he suffers an injury setback, Earle would provide Bryce Young with another target behind Jameson Williams. The freshman was already dressed out and warming up on Saturday as the Tide prepped for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was able to avoid surgery after a punt return versus New Mexico State resulted in an injury.

JoJo Earle, 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, was No. 39 in the nation coming out of high school in Aledo, Texas, according to On3.