Skip to main content
alabama logo

Nick Saban says Billingsley needs to 'take advantage' of his opportunities

47377776_10156854436900775_2208546246019252224_nby:Clint Lamb•11/10/21•

ClintRLamb

nick-saban-says-billingsley-needs-to-take-advantage-of-his-opportunities
Photo courtesy of Alabama Athletics

Coming into the season, Jahleel Billingsley was widely considered one of the top returning tight ends in college football. Talents such as Kyle Pitts and Kenny Yeboah were off to the NFL, so the opportunity to shine was available for the Alabama tight end.

Last year, Billingsley hauled in 18 catches for 287 yards and three touchdowns. There were a lot of people out there, myself included, who thought those numbers could double — and maybe even triple.

Instead, Billingsley entered the season in Nick Saban’s doghouse. He was forced to miss the beginning of training camp due to poor decision-making, and then had to earn his starting job back once he returned.

It didn’t work out that way immediately.

In fact, the junior tight end didn’t catch his first pass until Week 3 against Florida. Granted, the 26-yard scoring strike put the Chicago native’s talent on full display, but overall, it’s been tough sledding for Billingsley in 2021.

There was a two-week stretch against Southern Miss and Ole Miss when he brought in nine catches for 152 yards and a touchdown. Throw in that touchdown against Florida, and it’s 10 catches for 178 yards and two scores in a three-game stretch.

Everyone thought the old Billingsley was back. Unfortunately, everyone thought wrong.

In the four games since Ole Miss back in Week 5, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound pass-catcher only has… one catch. It only went for 8 yards against Tennessee too. That’s it.

The target share has dipped with the emergence of Jameson Williams and John Metchie at wide receiver, but that’s not the problem. Billingsley isn’t taking advantage of the targets he is getting. And his role in the passing game is decreasing as a result.

On Wednesday, Alabama coach Nick Saban talked about Billingsley not taking advantage of his opportunities.

“When a guy has opportunities, he’s got to take advantage of them,” Saban told reporters. “He’s got to play fast. He can’t drop the ball. So yeah, do we miss his production? Yeah, but when he gets the opportunities, he’s got to take advantage of it. He’s got to play fast. And he’s certainly a guy that can help us. And in some kind of way we need him to sort of go out there and play like he’s capable of playing, and that’s certainly our responsibility as coaches to try to get him to do that.”

Billingsley can still be an important part of Alabama’s offense. Really, that goes for fellow tight end Cameron Latu as well. He’s also struggled at times this season, but not to the degree of Billingsley.

If Billingsley and Latu can get their focus drops under control, they could both go a long way in helping the Crimson Tide’s offense. Earlier this season, Saban talked about how important having quality tight end play can be.

“I think that having tight ends that are capable of making plays — I’ve always said this, you’ve heard me say it before — that tight ends are one of the best mismatch players that you can have on the field,” Saban said. “because the people covering them aren’t always the best guy. Sometimes, they’re linebackers, sometimes a safety. So, when you have guys that are capable of making plays in the passing game, I think it’s a huge asset to the offense.”

Giving Bryce Young as many reliable weapons as possible will only help Alabama’s chances at another national title.

You may also like