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At first the challenge was to broadcast the ball to all threats received from Alabama. The next step was to find room for DeVonta Smith when Jaylen Waddle’s injury took all defensive attention to his path.
In the end, Steve Sarkisian’s intrigues helped guide this Crimson Tide attack to a national title. Now that he’s in Texas mode, the former Alabama offensive coordinator is on the interview circuit and there are a few questions about the 2020 season at Tuscaloosa.
The dynamics of the receiver room occupied a few minutes of a Friday morning conversation on the Dan Patrick Show.
RELATED: The legacy of the 2020 Alabama football team
Sarkisian said things were pretty scattered in early fall with Smith, Waddle and John Metchie getting a fairly even number of takes. In fact, it was Waddle who had more number than the Heisman Trophy winner the first few weeks. Then came the kickoff in Tennessee.
“When we lost Waddle pretty much all we devised was how to incorporate DeVonta Smith or how did that get the attention of the defense on DeVonta Smith so other guys could s ‘open up,’ Sarkisian told the Dan Patrick Show on Friday. “And I think he’s embraced that role. He embraced the fact that he was the go-to guy, but he also agreed to be a lure if you want to open up other people. He really went for it.
Of course, Smith only had one under 100-yard receiving game after leaving Knoxville and that was because he played a more limited role in the last regular season game in Arkansas. He had 231 yards at LSU, a school record of 15 catches against Florida and a first half of 12 catches and 215 yards in the title game against Ohio State.
Waddle, of course, returned to catch three passes for 34 yards in the championship game after it looks like his season ended with an ankle injury at Tennessee.
Returning to the time before he was injured, Sarkisian said they viewed Smith and Waddle as 1A and 1B.
“DeVonta had a much truer experience on the wide receiver for us in Alabama,” Sarkisian said. “We knew what we were getting with him. Waddle was a bit unique. It was truly the fourth draw in the previous two years with (Jerry) Jeudy and (Henry) Ruggs still there. We all knew the great turner he was and we all knew what he could do with the ball in his hands on offense, but what people didn’t know was how good a road runner he was. , the versatility of playing in the slot machine or outdoors. .
“So we really went there with the two guys being the star receivers. I think Waddle maybe took some defenses by surprise with his versatility, but at the end of the day we knew what DeVonta Smith was and he was a great player.
Smith broke the school’s receiving records with 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. Waddle averaged 21.1 yards per catch with 28 overall and 591 yards in five games.
The topic of recruitment was also discussed in Patrick’s interview. Sarkisian said he doesn’t know “if you necessarily over-recruit” Nick Saban, but they will play their strengths in Texas.
“Regionally, the children we can recruit are much closer to us in the state,” Sarkisian said. “Where in Alabama, I think they need to go a little deeper. There’s not so much going on for them, but it’s clear that the track record that Coach Saban has put together is second to none, but I think we’re going to build something special here and the plan for me is to to be here for the next 15 or 20 years.
“So I hope you interview someone here in 15 years and ask them the same question, how are you going to recruit Sark in Texas.”
Alabama will play in Texas on September 10, 2022 before the Longhorns travel to Tuscaloosa on September 9, 2023.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande Or on Facebook.
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