Alabama football: 3 breakout stars for the Crimson Tide in 2022
By John Buhler
The Alabama football program should have an absolute behemoth of a team this season.
You might actually have to have a debate with yourself over taking the field instead the Alabama football team to win the College Football Playoff this season.
After coming up just short in Indianapolis, Alabama should have one of the most experienced teams in the country. Not only do they have the greatest head coach in the history of the sport in Nick Saban, but the Crimson Tide have seemingly two top-five locks in the 2023 NFL Draft: Pass-rusher extraordinaire Will Anderson, as well as Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young.
Of course, Anderson and Young cannot do this alone. They are going to need some help, alright.
Alabama football: 3 players poised to have breakout seasons for Crimson Tide
829. Pick Analysis. Alabama Crimson Tide. 3. player. Scouting Report. WR. Ja'Corey Brooks
Iron Bowl hero Ja’Corey Brooks is ready for a sensational sophomore season
With Jameson Williams, John Metchie III and even Slade Bolden turning pro, who is Bryce Young going to throw the ball to now? While Cameron Latu is a proven commodity at tight end and Jermaine Burton turned heel after winning a national championship at Georgia, look out for last year’s Iron Bowl hero Ja’Corey Brooks to play a huge part in the Alabama passing game, alright.
Brooks famously made the touchdown grab in the Iron Bowl to help beat arch rival Auburn, as well as help secure the Heisman Trophy for Young. Though he only had 15 catches for 192 yards and two trips to pay dirt during his freshman season, look for Brooks to do extraordinary things as a sophomore for the Crimson Tide. Of course, Brooks is not the only receiver of note for Alabama…
Burton is undeniably talented, but he does not have the amount of baked-in reps with Young as does Brooks. Traeshon Holden looks to be due in his junior year, but he has been overtaken by other guys on the depth chart. Since Brooks has shown he has a bit of that clutch gene inside of him, look for Young to throw the ball his way more often than just late in the game vs. Auburn.
If Brooks has the sophomore season we know he is capable of, he could be a future first-rounder.