Fourth of July: Five of the most explosive players on Alabama's roster
Happy Fourth of July, everyone. We decided to celebrate the holiday by highlighting some of the most explosive players on Alabama’s roster that can create fireworks this season.
Jalen Milroe, QB
When considering players with explosive, playmaking ability, the dual-threat quarterback quickly came to mind. Milroe is a freak of an athlete, and while he isn’t a finished product as a passer, he is built like a running back and can make plays with his legs similar to one. An argument can be made that the third-year quarterback has more home-run ability than any of the tailbacks on Alabama’s current roster. Just look at what he was able to do late against Arkansas last season when Bryce Young left with an injury. Milroe led all players with an 8.55 yards per carry average in 2022 and should he win the starting job, will be dangerous when outside the pocket.
Isaiah Bond, WR
Bond played in 13 games as a true freshman last season and caught 17 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown in the bowl win over Kansas State. He also returned one punt in the win over ULM for 34 yards. The now-sophomore is expected to continue to be a big part of the passing game in his second season, and the Tide could use more explosive plays out of him. He’s plenty capable – the first words under his high school and personal data section of his UA bio begins with “an explosive playmaker out of Georgia.” Bond won the Georgia 6A 100-meter (10.51) and 200-meter (21.19) state titles as a junior and can be a true downfield threat if targeted.
Malik Benson, WR
Another Alabama wide receiver that can make plays down the field is Benson, who joined the program in late December as an early enrollee. He averaged 22.2 yards per catch over his two at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, including a whopping 28.6 as a freshman in 2020. For comparison, Ja’Corey Brooks led the Tide with 17.28 ypc a year ago. The junior college transfer received rave reviews this spring, making it clear he should push for playing time this fall, and if he’s able to put up similar numbers, could potential lead Alabama in some receiving stats.
“Benson’s had a really, really good spring and is capable of stretching the field and making big plays,” head coach Nick Saban said. “Good all-around player. He certainly is going to help us.”
Justin Jefferson, LB
Keeping the JUCO theme rolling, Jefferson was the other transfer from a community college to join the Alabama program for the spring semester. He went through the 15 practices and tallied six tackles for the second-team defense in the A-Day Game. Surprisingly, none of them were behind the line of scrimmage, but Jefferson was a blur from the press box as he flew to the ball. This isn’t to say Jefferson will start alongside Deontae Lawson – another explosive player in the inside linebacker room – this fall, but he was a heat-seeking missile in the spring game.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB/PR
McKinstry is a shutdown cornerback many believe will be a first-round pick in next April’s NFL draft, and while corners aren’t typically known for making explosive plays, Alabama’s top player on the boundary also doubles as a dynamic punt returner. Last season, McKinstry fielded 21 punts and returned them for 333 yards. His 15.86 yards per return average was good for No. 2 in the nation among players that finished the 2022 season with a minimum of 1.2 punt returns per game played. When he gets McKinstry gets hands on a punt (or a pick), watch out.
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