Get Your Bama Gear Here!

OFFENSIVE SKILL PLAYERS

 
WR Nikita Stover
WR D.J. Hall
WR Keith Brown
WR Will Oakley
WR Ezekiel Knight
WR Aaron McDaniel

Overall talent level: A+
Success in filling needs: A+

For a team that didn’t exactly light up the world in passing numbers, Alabama may have signed the best group of wide receivers in the country. Three are legitimate blue chippers and at least two others have shown flashes of potential brilliance.

The cream of the crop is probably Nikita Stover, but Stover’s likelihood of qualifying is low. It’s a shame, because Stover would play immediately and would probably be a steady contributor by year’s end. Though not as tall as Hall and Brown, Stover’s playmaking ability more than makes up for his height, which isn’t bad to begin with at 6’1”.

The wildcard here is D.J. Hall, who if healthy would likely have been one of the top two or three receiver prospects coming out of Florida this year. Tall, with a good body and the ability to leap, Hall could play early, taking the “big man” role left vacant with the graduation of Zach Fletcher. Hall is talented enough to anchor a wide receiver class by himself; with Stover added, this makes a great combination for the Tide coaches.

The same could be said about Keith Brown, who like Hall is tall and moves quickly. Brown may be more polished now, with Hall having a better upside. Should Stover, Hall and Brown come to Alabama together and stay for their entire careers, the thought of having the three of them as seniors should scare opposing defensive coordinators.

On top of those three, Alabama got one of the most productive players in the Southeast when Will Oakley cast his lot with the Tide. A very underrated player, Oakley displayed athleticism and playmaking ability that belied his school’s small classification status. While a redshirt year is likely for Oakley, within time he should prove to be a valuable part of Alabama’s receiver rotation.

Where Ezekiel Knight and Aaron McDaniel wind up is anyone’s guess. Knight is tall and big – 6’4”, 220 pounds – and has been rumored for a look at linebacker not unlike Auburn’s Karlos Dansby. But Knight has more of an offensive mindset than did Dansby, who loved contact and enjoyed playing defense. McDaniel was the quarterback on his high school team, but will end up playing either receiver or safety at Alabama. McDaniel has work to do in the weight room before he can play SEC ball. It’s out bet that both end up as offensive players at Alabama.

The overall impression here is that Alabama more than filled its needs at wide receiver.

MORE RECRUITING ANALYSIS (CLICK LINKS)

• Offensive Backs

• Offensive Skill Players

• Offensive Line

• Defensive Line

• Linebackers

• Defensive Backs

• Who will play and when?

First Timers Click HERE!

FREE STUFF:

• Email Address

• Webspace

• Newsletter

• Msg Boards

BOOKS & INFO

Books:  Bama Books
Books: popular in AL
Books: Other Books
Info: Tide Tradition
Info: Tuscaloosa, AL

SUGGESTIONS?

Please send us some feedback!