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WATCH: Bryce Young connects with Ja'Corey Brooks for a 44-yard touchdown pass

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•12/31/21
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(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young connected with his receiver, Ja’Corey Brooks on a 44-yard touchdown pass near the end of the second half to break the Goodyear Cotton Bowl open.

The 44-yard touchdown connection put the Crimson Tide up 17-3 with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. Brooks, a freshman out of Miami, Fla. has had to step up in place of Alabama’s other star receiver, John Metchie III.

He’s made an impact in a variety of ways

The touchdown catch for Brooks was just his second receiving touchdown of the year. His other score came against the Auburn Tigers in the 24-22 4OT classic in the Iron Bowl. Brooks also blocked a punt in the Texas A&M game, which the Tide recovered for a touchdown.

Alabama lead the game, 17-3 at halftime. The Crimson Tide dominated for most of the game and won 27-6. Brooks led his team in receiving yardage for the game, hauling in four catches for 66 yards and one receiving touchdown.

While Bryce Young certainly did look uncomfortable a number of times in the first half, passes like the toss to Brooks remind fans why he’s the Heisman Trophy winner.

While Young didn’t have the greatest performance on Friday, but he completed 17 of his 28 pass attempts for 181 passing yards, while tossing in three touchdowns and one interception. He did enough to ensure the Tide gave Cincinnati a thorough whipping.

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While the Bearcats battled for a good chunk of the game, Alabama was simply too strong in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

It’ll be interesting to see how much Young targets Brooks in the national championship game in Indianapolis.

Ja’Corey Brooks high school profile

Brooks was rated as the No. 47 overall prospect in America, according to the On3 rankings for the 2021 recruiting class. The talented wideout attended IMG Academy (Miami, Florida) for his final season of high school football.

Before IMG Academy, he suited up for Booker T. Washington (Miami, Florida).

In 2019, he hauled in 99 catches for 1,281 receiving yards and 18 receiving touchdowns in leading Booker T. Washington to a state title.

It’ll be exciting to see who Alabama plays in the College Football Playoff National Championship.