Nick Saban offers the lastest on Jahleel Billingsley

Alabama head coach Nick Saban offered the latest on tight end Jahleel Billingsley ahead of Alabama’s season opener against Miami. Billingsley entered the offseason as one of Alabama’s most exciting players for the 2021 season and a potential first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but with the season just days away, is listed as the third-string tight end.

“We’re just trying to get Jahleel to be a responsible, disciplined person, as well as a responsible, disciplined player,” Saban said. “He’s certainly a very talented guy, and we have high hopes for how he can contribute to the team. But how that happens is sort of up to him and his choice.”

In a tweet that has since been deleted, Billingsley vented his frustrations with the recently released Crimson Tide depth chart, where he was listed third behind Cameron Latu and Major Tennison. 

In the tweet, Billingsley said this: “Come on now I’m the 3rd option (with a crying emoji)”

Jahleel Billingsley had 18 catches for 287 yards and three touchdowns last season, playing a key role in Alabama’s national championship run. 14 of his 18 catches went for a first down or touchdown.

He missed the beginning parts of camp in COVID-19 protocol as the coaching staff had to go through some steps with him. On Aug. 11, Saban said Jahleel Billingsley had to work his way back up the depth chart.

“He does have a lot of ability, he can be a positive contributor on the team,” Saban said, “but he’s also got to buy into the principles and values of the team and be a good teammate and do the things that everyone else in the organization does so that he has the respect of his teammates. We’re certainly trying to help him do that, and hopefully, he’ll be back out there with us in a few days. We’ll see how that all develops.”

Saban sends clear message

Saban did not hold back last Saturday when asked if Jahleel Billingsley has worked his way up back up the depth chart after missing parts of fall camp.

“That’s up to him,” he said. “That’s not up to me. He knows what he is supposed to do in practice. He knows what he is supposed to do. This is not a democracy. Everybody doesn’t get to do what they want to do. Everybody doesn’t get to do what they feel like doing. You’ve got to buy in and do what you’re supposed to do to be a part of the team and do the things you need to do in practice every day.” 

From the sounds of it, the former starter still has a ways to go to get back on the field in a major role.

On3’s Pete Nakos and Chandler Vessels contributed to this report