Ja'Corey Brooks reveals what Malik Benson brings to Alabama offense
The Crimson Tide have plenty of quality wide receiver depth once again in Tuscaloosa. Even so, one of their most important ones, at least according to Ja’Corey Brooks, came via JUCO ranks with Malik Benson out of Hutchinson Community College.
Brooks spoke highly of Benson’s work ethic during a media availability last week. He said that Alabama got a player who is putting his head down and getting things done from an effort standpoint so far.
“Malik’s a hard worker. He’s always been a hard worker since he got here,” Brooks said. “He’s just going to take the coaching, accept the coaching, and just work hard.”
Benson balled out while in Kansas and was ranked the No. 1 prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings. Over two seasons at Hutchinson, he caught 97 passes for 3,381 reception yards and 21 touchdowns. His 2,152 receiving yards as a sophomore also broke the school record.
Benson has all the tools and trains to be a big-time weapon for Alabama, especially at a position that lost several names to the portal. He’ll be sure to pan out too if he continues to work as hard as Brooks says that he has to this point and is continuing to do heading into the fall.
Brooks optimistic about Alabama’s depth at wide receiver
A year removed from playing with a young, largely unproven receiving corps, things are looking up in the Alabama receiver room. Now, Ja’Corey Brooks sees solid freshmen contributors that are now sophomores alongside steady upperclassmen.
The talent present a year ago has 13 more games of experience and honing their craft under their belt. Speaking to reporters at the outset of fall camp, Brooks shared his optimism for the group.
“Yeah I see every guy improve, even myself. But most of the younger guys as in like the freshmen, even the sophomores, develop in their playbook and a skillset of how they run their routes and what they need to see in the defense. So, we’re all developing,” Brooks said.
Brooks and Jermaine Burton — who transferred to Alabama ahead of last season — will come back and lead the way for the receiving corps as upperclassmen. Burton had 40 receptions to Brooks’ 39 in 2022 and had three more receiving yards — 677 to 674. Brooks did outpace Burton by a touchdown, eight to seven.
Junior college transfer Malik Benson also could factor in but he’ll be working for reps against a bevy of sophomores, some of whom who were already called upon as freshmen, and talented true freshmen.
Kobe Prentice and Isaiah Bond caught 31 and 17 passes, respectively, as true freshmen for the Crimson Tide and scored three combined touchdowns. One or both could be on their way to bigger roles in the 2023 offense, especially if the quarterback battle works out as desired for Alabama.
A year removed from running out a talented group of unknowns, Alabama has a clearer picture of what to expect and ask of the receivers this season. And based on Brooks assessment, it will certainly be better than what they delivered in 2022.