Fansided

Alabama receiver noticeably absent on latest Crimson Tide roster

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Xavier Williams (3) runs the ball against Florida Gators defensive back Marco Wilson (3) during the first half in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Xavier Williams (3) runs the ball against Florida Gators defensive back Marco Wilson (3) during the first half in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama football has a lot of production to replace on offense, especially at the wide receiver position, but they won’t have Xavier Williams helping to replicate that production.

Alabama doesn’t rebuild, they reload, but that task will be a challenge for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide coaches in 2021.

Alabama must replace Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Najee Harris and Mac Jones. No other school will have to replace as much offensive production as the Crimson Tide, which is what could keep Alabama from repeating as national champions. It might even prevent Alabama from winning the SEC.

One of the receivers tasked with helping make up the prodigious production of Smith and Waddle was Xavier Williams, however, he was not listed on Alabama’s updated roster with summer enrollees. He’s reportedly not in the transfer portal either.

Xavier Williams is no longer on the Alabama football roster

Williams was a former four-star recruit in the Class of 2018. He appeared in six games last year, recording three catches for 24 yards in a reserve role. He was expected to make a play for more playing time this fall with John Metchie the only returning receiver with substantial playing time on his resume.

However, it now appears a position that was already thin coming into the season will be even thinner with Williams apparently not on the roster and not a part of the team’s plans.

It’s unclear if Williams left the team on his own accord or was removed for some disciplinary or academic reasons or if he intended to enter the transfer portal but just hasn’t officially made those plans known.

In any event, Alabama will rely on the next man up.

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