Nick Saban compliments Jermaine Burton, calls out wide receivers

Alabama football completed a closed scrimmage on Saturday as the team continues preparation for the annual A-Day game in front of fans next week. While Nick Saban is always looking for improvement, he did take time to compliment Georgia transfer wide receiver Jermaine Burton for his production.

However, during the press conference, Nick Saban also used that compliment for Jermaine Burton to call for more production from the rest of the wide receiver room.

“He made a couple big plays today,” said Saban. “I think it’s really important. I think he’s had a really good spring, he’s been very productive. He was productive again today, I think he had like seven catches, a couple big plays.

“We just need for everyone else to play with a little more consistency. He’s a good addition for us and hopefully we can continue to improve around him.”

The Alabama wide receiver room took an unexpected hit last week when talented sophomore Agiye Hall received a suspended and then entered the transfer portal. Among those expected to take a leap this season, Ja’Corey Brooks and JoJo Earle join Traeshon Holden and Christian Leary.

Nick Saban on wide receivers

The Alabama Crimson Tide offense will look different around star quarterback Bryce Young next season. Alabama lost three pivotal weapons in the wide receiver room to the 2022 NFL Draft in Jameson Williams, John Metchie, and Slade Bolden. Now, the Crimson Tide offense is looking to offset those losses during spring practices.

Earlier in the week, Alabama head coach Nick Saban went in depth on what kind of improvements he wants to see from the wide receiver room. Ultimately, he is looking to see more consistency, and said that you have to do things “a certain way” to play wide receiver at this level.

“Well consistency and performance is still the most critical part of playing any position, it’s no different at that position,” Saban said of Alabama’s wide receiver room. “I think we have enough guys that have the skill level that we need to have. I think they got to play hard and fast, and you got to do things a certain way when you play receiver. You can’t add live because the quarterback has got to make quick decisions and timing is involved.

“So the precision that you need and the discipline you need to have the precision so that we can develop chemistry in the passing game is critical to being successful in that part of the game. I think some of the young guys, they got to continue to develop and grow and understand the importance of that.”