Nick Saban announces Tyler Harrell getting 'more confident' following foot injury
Tyler Harrell was one of the big transfer portal additions for Alabama this offseason. But Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said the former Louisville wide receiver didn’t have a full training camp due to an injury.
Harrell suffered a sprained foot during camp, Saban told reporters in his Wednesday night press conference. However, he’s getting more work in during practice leading up to Alabama’s Week 1 matchup with Utah State and is starting to gain confidence on the field, Saban said.
“First of all, he had a sprained foot for a while, so he wasn’t able to practice all the time,” Saban said. “But now, probably the last scrimmage and this week — Tuesday, Wednesday of this week — he’s starting to get more reps.
“I think he’s starting to get more confident. I do think that he’s a guy that, because of his speed, can help us. I think he’s got to continue to make progress and we’re certainly working with him and he’s had a great attitude about doing it. We’ll just sort of keep on keeping on with him.”
What Tyler Harrell brings to Alabama
Harrell was part of an impressive portal haul for Saban and the Crimson Tide, coming in as the No. 66 transfer to hit the portal during the last cycle, according to the 2021 On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. Last season at Louisville, he totaled 523 receiving yards and six touchdowns before transferring to Alabama.
He’ll join a wide receiver room that now includes former Georgia wideout Jermaine Burton, one of three top-10 transfers Alabama landed. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs and cornerback Eli Ricks were also highly ranked over the offseason as Saban and Co. try to build off last season’s national championship appearance.