Nick Saban on Jahleel Billingsley, Alabama tight ends moving forward

Alabama came into the season knowing that it would need offensive playmakers to emerge if it wanted to continue having one of the nation’s best offenses. As a couple of wide receivers stepped up in Alabama’s season opening win over Miami, some tight ends have also been progressing.

It’s because of that progression that Alabama head coach Nick Saban is happy with his tight end position and thinks that multiple players could emerge as weapons throughout the season.

Cameron Latu is getting most of the attention following his two-touchdown performance on Saturday. Latu caught three passes for 43 yards and the two touchdowns against Miami. Latu, a former defensive lineman and outside linebacker, has impressed Saban throughout his transition to tight end.

Saban wants to continue developing players at tight end

Latu’s emergence is a welcome sight for Saban, but he needs to continue improving throughout the season. That is also true for the other players vying for playing time at tight end. Saban likes the progress from Latu, and he has also liked using tight end/offensive line hybrid player Kendall Randolph in Alabama’s offense.

“First of all, I’d like to evaluate the guys who did play in the game and played well in the game,” Saban told reporters on Monday. “Cameron Latu certainly did a good job. He didn’t have a lot of experience. I think the passes that he caught, he made some really good catches, made good run after the catch, scored a couple of touchdowns. He did a great job at executing and played his position very well. This is a real positive for us at that position.

“We’ve always liked using Kendall Randolph as a big tight end type of blocker. I thought he did a really good job in the game, especially coming off of an ankle sprain. So, we’ll continue to try and develop players at that position and hopefully they’ll make the decision to do the things they need to do to improve and that will reflect in how much playing time they get.”

Saban: Jahleel Billingsley still developing at Alabama

Last season, Billingsley had 18 receptions for 287 yards and three touchdowns for Alabama. Billingsley did not have a reception against Miami, but he did see the field in limited action. Billingsley is a tight end that Saban wants to see do well. If he does, it would help both the player and Alabama tremendously.

“We’re always trying to encourage players to do the right things and do the things they need to do to create value for themselves,” Saban said. “Jahleel and I have talked on multiple occasions because he’s certainly a guy that we want to have success for his own benefit individually as well as for the team. Sometimes when you get a little bit of external encouragement it can be a positive thing for you. For the first game, I think he did okay when he went out there and played.”