BAMA ON3 SHOW: Reacting to Alabama hiring Kevin Steele, Tommy Rees
The Bama On3 Show is back for Episode 123, which includes BamaInsider’s Clint Lamb and Jimmy Stein breaking down all the latest happenings surrounding the Alabama football program. Today’s list of topics include the following:
- Reacting to Kevin Steele, Tommy Rees hires
- How Alabama is zigging while everyone else is zagging
- Why fans shouldn’t worry about QB recruiting
- Offensive efficiency and why it’s more important than points per game
- And more!
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Links to Podcast
Apple Podcast: apple.co/3jsKDTK
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3x74V8p
Megaphone: https://bit.ly/3wWmece
What made Rees appealing to Alabama
Rees, from his time at Notre Dame, brings to Tuscaloosa a commitment to the run game. That’s how these Irish offenses have been built since he took over as the offensive coordinator in 2020. But how exactly does Georgia play its passing game off its run game? Well, you’ve seen the emergence of dynamic play at the tight end position.
Really, the featuring of tight ends is what we’re here to talk about. I believe Saban would like to utilize the position more in Alabama’s offense.
We saw Cameron Latu do some good things over the last two seasons, but the target share hasn’t been there. In 2021, he only got 7.2% of the targets. Without Jahleel Billingsley on the roster in 2022, that percentage only increased to 12.3%.
Let’s compare how the target shares have looked between tight end groups in Tuscaloosa and Athens.
Alabama
- 2021: 77-of-405 targets (14.6%)
- 2022: 58-of-399 targets (14.5%)
Georgia
- 2021: 102-of-368 targets (27.7%)
- 2022: 136-of-465 targets (29.2%)
That’s a substantial difference. Saban has talked about how important effective tight end play can be your offense, too. In fact, he’s mentioned it multiple times, including back in Sept. of 2021.
“I think that having tight ends that are capable of making plays — I’ve always said this, you’ve heard me say it before — that tight ends are one of the best mismatch players that you can have on the field,” Saban told reporters. “because the people covering them aren’t always the best guy. Sometimes, they’re linebackers, sometimes a safety. So, when you have guys that are capable of making plays in the passing game, I think it’s a huge asset to the offense.”
If there’s one thing Rees knows how to do, it’s utilize his tight ends. Here’s how Notre Dame’s target share to its tight ends have looked since he took over as the offensive coordinator in 2020:
- 2020: 98-of-332 (29.5%)
- 2021: 102-of-414 (24.6%)
- 2022: 115-of-316 (36.4%)
Now, who does that align with more — Alabama or Georgia?
For more on what made Rees an appealing option for Alabama, click here.
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