'24 TN WR Amari Jefferson (Tennessee)

[Jackcrevol]

That's one possibility. It's also possible that he was a highly ranked recruit who, for whatever reason, hasn't translated well to college.

To everyone overreacting to me and others questioning his ability to make an impact (not you), I'm not saying he's a bust. But I'm not going to put my head in the sand and ignore the possibility that he is. It happens all the time. JJ Peterson is probably the most common example but there's been many since him. Most recently, Caleb Webb and Nathan Leacock come to mind, but it's also happened to a recent Saban recruit, Agiye Hall. Former 5-star wide receiver who bounced around since signing with Alabama and is currently on his way to Sacramento State. Some guys have all the ability in the world and just never get their head on straight.

I lean toward Jefferson's struggles being related to the hip surgery, which is at least a small cause for concern in itself, but I'm taking the wait and see approach on this one.

Full disclosure;

I only read the emboldened:

Counterpoint;

1) Who would not be when compared to Ryan Williams - you have to account for on every play.

2) Saban, who personally recruited him, retired. Deboer runs a completely different offense, as I understand.

3) Let's not pretend this Alabama team isnt talented. Loaded. And reloading.

 

[bpalmer28]

Remember the past when a player came in and we didn't know their names until they were a Junior. Now if you are not a NFL ready all world player your true freshman year you suck. Williams and Smith are one of the few that can back this statement up, the rest need to be developed and that's another discussion.

Sure thing know it all. For your information not every FR gets to play. I mean it seems like because Williams at Bama and Smith at OSU balled out as FR every FR are just like them. That’s complete BS.

If you want to believe it’s some kind of red flag that he didn’t play fine. By all means, please
Use your glorious knowledge and give us the inner workings at Bama. Tell us why he didn’t get any playing time. You know so much more than everyone else. Let’s hear your expert opinion.

Long gone are the days of development. If you aren’t starting by the middle of your true freshman year, you should be brought out back and put down. It’s only fair to the hardworking fans. Keep rosters lean, no more than 24 players. Two kickers and 22 positional players.

Y'all are being dramatic. Nobody said he sucks. To pretend like me and others are writing him off because he isn't a Freshman All-American is childish. Why do we have to drool over every former 4 and 5-star recruit? It's 100% fair to question why a player only contributed to the scout team during his freshman season. Nobody has said anything to suggest that we think he's a bad player. Relax.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

9 WRs played. Amari did not. I don’t know why. He could have played in up to 4 games and still redshirted, so that’s not the reason. I also question whether or not it was because he was hurt. He was healthy enough to play on the scout team during practice, he doesn’t appear on any injury reports, there’s nothing on X about him being hurt, and there’s no news articles about him being hurt. Those are the facts.

I don’t hate Amari and I hope we get him. But I’m not going to get my hopes up on him making a big impact.

If you track DeBoer over his career, he heavily favors experience. The UW team that did so well was loaded with 5th and 4th year starters. Alabama also has an absurdly talented WR room with five guys at his position. Look at the average rating of their receiver room. It’s no easy task getting on the field there as a Freshman.

 

[Franklin_Vol09]

I’d love to have the kid. Maybe it works out for him here. Im
Honestly ok with letting these younger kids play and see what they do. Our WR room underperformed last year. Some was on the Oline and some was on Nico, but there were a ton of missed opportunities.

 

[Orangeblood75]

Monday afternoon it will be public

Scratch that, sometime tomorrow hopefully. Sorry about the bad info . I think we have no worries, he will be a VOL . Things have to get back in order, lots of folks first day back to work today. I think that’s been the delay.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Scratch that, sometime tomorrow hopefully. Sorry about the bad info . I think we have no worries, he will be a VOL . Things have to get back in order, lots of folks first day back to work today. I think that’s been the delay.

Sometime this week. we will add to the porthole. Kidding. I'm not crapping on any more folks that have inside info.

Appreciate the info you bring, Sir. As long as you arent AV, I think we'll believe you. I kid, AV was a good dude, when he wasnt chest thumping about swimming in Coins.

 

[Jimmy Football]

Scratch that, sometime tomorrow hopefully. Sorry about the bad info . I think we have no worries, he will be a VOL . Things have to get back in order, lots of folks first day back to work today. I think that’s been the delay.

Tomorrow. Same time, Same place. VolNation.com at 2pm.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams have ruined college football expectations for true FR WRs.

 

[Orangeblood75]

View attachment 712463
Sometime this week. we will add to the porthole. Kidding. I'm not crapping on any more folks that have inside info.

Appreciate the info you bring, Sir. As long as you arent AV, I think we'll believe you. I kid, AV was a good dude, when he wasnt chest thumping about swimming in Coins.

True, it’s all just iffy now days with the NIL money everywhere. Only have one source for my information but he’s been a good one. I don’t like to say much because you get hounded by the locals if you’re wrong.

 

[patrick]

Tomorrow. Same time, Same place. VolNation.com at 2pm.

So no announcement?

 

[patrick]

True, it’s all just iffy now days with the NIL money everywhere. Only have one source for my information but he’s been a good one. I don’t like to say much because you get hounded by the locals if you’re wrong.

Yeah the NIL $ is where it’s at however the coaches still have recruit and sell these guys on the program. I still believe that staff changes are necessary but I understand that Heupel is loyal to a fault which is unfortunate.

 

[volKano]

Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams have ruined college football expectations for true FR WRs.

Smith could probably be a first round draft pick in the next draft if he was eligible. I’d take him over Travis Hunter.

 

[Jaxon_Vol2017]

Sure thing know it all. For your information not every FR gets to play. I mean it seems like because Williams at Bama and Smith at OSU balled out as FR every FR are just like them. That’s complete BS.

If you want to believe it’s some kind of red flag that he didn’t play fine. By all means, please
Use your glorious knowledge and give us the inner workings at Bama. Tell us why he didn’t get any playing time. You know so much more than everyone else. Let’s hear your expert opinion.

My expert opinion is he wasn't good enough to get playing time. That's a pretty reasonable take.

 

[SoilVol]

My expert opinion is he wasn't good enough to get playing time. That's a pretty reasonable take.

He was injured and yeah, most freshmen are not good enough or experienced enough to get significant playing time.

 

[bpalmer28]

Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams have ruined college football expectations for true FR WRs.

@SoilVol
@Stoerner Fumbles

Did you know that 3 other true freshman WRs got playing time for Alabama this season, including a walk-on?

The injury may very well be a valid excuse. His age is not. But he should AT LEAST be able to do everything Kaleb Webb and Nathan Leacock could do, and he has the potential to be a solid replacement for Bru.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

Smith could probably be a first round draft pick in the next draft if he was eligible. I’d take him over Travis Hunter.

The two-way player thing is a cute story for Colorado, but won’t make a lick of difference in the NFL. Hunter is a great football player, but can he be a great positional player (I assume cornerback) at the next level? We’ll see. Now if it were 1925 instead of 2025, he’d be a legend, guaranteed.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

My expert opinion is he wasn't good enough to get playing time. That's a pretty reasonable take.

And you are probably right. But that isn’t a red flag meaning he isn’t worth taking or isn’t any good.

 

[SGMVols]

My expert opinion is he wasn't good enough to get playing time. That's a pretty reasonable take.

Miles Kitselman didn’t play at Bama for 2 years there. He’s our best TE. Don’t assume DeBoer knows what he’s doing.

 

[InVOLuntary]

 

[Ericvol2096]

Should be able to play this by end of the day tomorrow.

 

[TrippieRedd]

 

[NighthawkVol]

Miles Kitselman didn’t play at Bama for 2 years there. He’s our best TE. Don’t assume DeBoer knows what he’s doing.

Exactly. It’s almost like players can develop from their freshman years forward.

Cedric Tillman had 1 catch for -3 yards his freshman season. Probably should’ve cut him.

Heupel & Co. aren’t taking AJ based on what he did as a freshman. They’re taking him based on what he can do in subsequent seasons.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Miles Kitselman didn’t play at Bama for 2 years there. He’s our best TE. Don’t assume DeBoer knows what he’s doing.

DeBoer wasn't coaching @ Alabama when Kitselman was playing there.

 

[jvols1999]

Interesting comment from AP that Jefferson likely won't cost a lot NIL wise. Makes it truly a very low risk high reward situation for Tennessee to add a former instate prospect with a bigtime recruiting pedigree that's spent a year in Bama's S&C program on a value deal.

Absolutely still need to get a guy with proven experience and playmaking ability to add to the WR room IMO, but this is a GREAT add.

 

[Vols410]

He didn't enroll early which probably had some impact on his PT as a true freshman.

Bama board also says he came to play for Saban and didn't really want to play for DeBoer. Who knows how true that is but