TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ja’Corey Brooks isn’t focused on becoming “the guy” among Alabama’s wide receivers, his vision being more holistic. It’s a position of emphasis on this season’s team, and Brooks is optimistic about the progress from summer conditioning to the early days of preseason camp.
There’s an expectation for Brooks to take a big step forward, but his hope is that the Crimson Tide will have a receivers position with several dangerous options.
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“I’m not really looking for the No. 1 receiver (role),” Brooks said. “I’m looking for a complete group because everybody might have a day, everybody will have a game to get the name called. We want everybody in our group to show up and play hard.”
Brooks is the most experienced in the room as a third-year player in the program, joined by junior Jermaine Burton (in his second year), junior college transfer Malik Benson and several sophomores (Isaiah Bond, Emmanuel Henderson Jr., Kendrick Law and Kobe Prentice) who are vying for playing time. It’s a talented group that struggled with consistency last season, particularly in dropped passes.
“Our first skill set is working on our hands, catching the ball,” Brooks said. “As a receiver, if you can’t catch the ball, you really can’t be on the field. That’s one thing we’ve focused on is getting on the JUGS (machine) before practice and whatever time we can get on the JUGS after practice. That’s how we really develop that skill set.”
Brooks outlined what he has seen from the newcomers like Benson and rising, young players who should improve the depth this season. He described Benson as a hard worker since joining the team during bowl practice; he’s not very talkative but accepts the coaching well and has been a good addition. In the second-year players, Brooks is seeing more confidence as another year in the program has allowed them to play more freely.
He was particularly bullish on Law, whose “unique” play style is a nice change of pace in the receiver room.
“Kendrick Law is aggressive,” Brooks said. “I like his playing style. He’s a young kid, still developing as well. He’s going to have a unique type of playing style and bring his own type of game into the group. Everybody’s got their own type of skill set, so we all take from each other. But (Law’s) got a lot to bring to the table.”
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Regarding the quarterback competition, Brooks noted that the receivers are working with each quarterback in order to build chemistry, something that’s particularly important with Tyler Buchner as the newest addition. After one day, Brooks said that he’s seeing leadership qualities and the right mindset from each quarterback.
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But as Nick Saban has emphasized, elevated play from other positions on offense is critical for a smooth transition at quarterback.
“We have a great group of guys,” Brooks said of the receivers. “This whole summer we’ve been working hard, developing our skill set on and off the field, but mostly on the field right now since we’ve got fall camp. We’re trying to get locked in with the plays and get more reps with every quarterback. We’re doing a great job right now.”
News and notes
Inside linebacker Deontae Lawson and defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe spoke with the media Friday and provided personal updates and early defensive takeaways. Both players described themselves as “100 percent” after their respective medical issues and are taking leadership roles in their position groups.
“I feel like with my position, that’s something I have to do,” Lawson said. “Seeing guys like Henry (To’oto’o) and (Jaylen) Moody, just following their footsteps, that’s a role I have to step into.”
Lawson noted that sophomore Jihaad Campbell has taken “a big step” from last season. Campbell’s competing with several others for a starting spot alongside Lawson. Lawson also highlighted junior Dallas Turner for stepping up as a leader following the departure of Will Anderson.
“I feel like (leadership’s) always been in Dallas,” Lawson said. “Will was just in the spotlight. But that’s something (Dallas) always had, so it’s his time now to do that.”
Along the defensive front, behind Eboigbe, sophomore Jaheim Oatis and senior Tim Smith will step into larger roles this season. Eboigbe stated that the group’s goals are two-fold: younger players understanding the concepts to play faster and establishing the proper consistency in practice to gain the coaching staff’s confidence.
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“Every day understand that you have to bring energy, and it starts with us (as the defensive line),” Eboigbe said. “Generally how well the team does is how well they are in the trenches. The biggest thing for us is being physical, being on the same page and knowing what to do.
“Being one of the most talked about defensive lines in the country is one of the biggest things. How that starts is coming in with an attitude ready to work, and that’s something that I’m trying to instill in each (player).”
(Top photo of JaCorey Brooks: Brandon Sumrall / Getty Images)
