John Metchie is Alabama’s New Elite Wide Receiver

The University of Alabama is well known for its excellent recruiting and development of football players. Last year Alabam was the home of three elite wide receivers, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, and Jaylen Waddle. Both Jeudy and Ruggs left the Tide for the 2020 NFL draft, so someone new had to step up, alongside Waddle. Enter stage left, John Metchie III.

In 2019, John Metchie played sporadically as Alabama’s fifth wide receiver. Unfortunately for Metchie, in 2019, Alabama only called one play with five receivers. This lack of experience, however, did not limit the young receiver in Alabama’s home opener against Texas A&M. John Metchie III would finish the game with five receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Before the game, Matchie only had six career catches for 65 yards.

When fellow Tide wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was asked about Metchie, he told the press that both he and the team “definitely had been expecting to see a performance like Saturday’s from John [Metchie]. He’s got plenty of skill, and I told you about his sneaky speed, and he got to showcase that today.”

In his performance, Metchie showed the nation and the SEC what Nick Saban and Alabama saw when recruiting him. Following the win, Saban praised Metchie, “We’ve always thought John is a real threat.”

Metchie played well, but this is not even close to his ceiling. Quarterback Mac Jones overthrew Metchie on several occasions, including what would have been a 73-yard touchdown pass. If all of Jones’ throws were on point, Metchie could have had well over 250 yards and three TDs in the game.

If John Metchie III continues to play at the level he did on Saturday; he will follow big-name receivers from Alabama like Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs. Currently, Metchie is on pace to have over 1100 receiving yards and 10 TDs in this shortened season.

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