Nick Saban discusses basis for depth chart decisions on Traeshon Holden, Kobe Prentice

Alabama released its first depth chart for 2022 earlier this week ahead of their week one matchup versus Utah State. Two of the biggest surprises on the depth chart were freshman Kobe Prentice and junior Traeshon Holden starting at wide receiver alongside UGA transfer Jermaine Burton.

Holden and Prentice had impressive fall camp performances, especially in the team’s scrimmages. Head coach Nick Saban spoke on the importance of scrimmage play, how that impacted his depth chart, and the impact they’ll have on game day.

“I think that’s why we practice, I think that’s why we have scrimmages to see who’s going to be productive, who’s going to be competitive, who can go out there and sustain what to do, play fast, make plays, have confidence in what they’re doing. So I think it has a significant impact on what their roles are going to be in a game,” Saban said.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the On3 YouTube channel today for all of the latest news on college football, recruiting, NIL, more!

Holden had 21 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown last season and was Alabama’s sixth leading receiver playing behind current NFL wideouts Jameson Williams and John Metchie. And Prentice will be playing in his first collegiate game ever when he starts in week one.

The duo still has something to prove on game days for Alabama, but already proved to Saban and the team that they belong out there with the first offense to start the season. They both certainly have big shoes to fill, as always in Tuscaloosa at the wide receiver position, but if history continues to repeat itself, they will perform just fine in the Crimson Tide offense this season.

Jordan Battle discusses progress from Kobe Prentice, Traeshon Holden

If you want to know anything about a team’s wide receivers, the best people to ask are the defensive backs on their team that line up across from them every day at practice. Alabama safety Jordan Battle recently spoke about two Crimson Tide’s receivers that will be key players in their offense this season, Kobe Prentice and Traeshon Holden.

“Kobe’s a very funny guy, very cool guy, very humble. He’s very fast, he has good routes, he’s playing very well with the first group. You can see he’s very confident as well being a young guy, being a freshman, he kind of reminds me of a guy like JoJo [Earle]. JoJo was very confident when he got here, so he’s a very good guy for us and he can make big plays in any game for us,” Battle said.

Prentice had an impressive fall camp, turning heads in each of the team’s scrimmages. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound freshman from Calera, Alabama impressed enough to secure himself a spot in the team’s starting lineup heading into week one. Prentice will be Alabama’s starting slot receiver with UGA transfer Jermaine Burton and Holden starting on the outside.

Battle also spoke on Holden, and how he’s evolved as a player and a leader this offseason.

“Traeshon is kind of stepping into that leadership role as well, you know he’s probably one of the oldest guys in the group. He’s been here the longest, he’s playing very well, you can see from last year he progressed and know he’s been more better. And he’s understanding the concept within the offense and you can see that as well, he’s playing very well within the scheme,” Battle said.