Athlon Sports Ranks Alabama 1st Among SEC Wide Receiver Units

Athlon Sports released its rankings for the wide receiver/tight end units in the Southeastern Conference and Alabama is number one. The conference has a talented group of pass catchers but most of the high-caliber guys are on a handful of teams.

Athlon used 2013 projections for these rankings rather than what these units did in 2012. With practically everyone returning for the Crimson Tide and senior quarterback A.J. McCarron delivering the ball, Alabama could have one of its best units ever.

Here's what Athlon said about the ranking:

Thanks to coach Nick Saban’s relentless work on the recruiting trail, the Crimson Tide’s 2013 receiving corps could be the best of his tenure in Tuscaloosa. Amari Cooper had a standout freshman season last year, catching 59 passes for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. Cooper came on strong at the end of 2012, finishing the year with four 100-yard games over the final five contests. Cooper is an Athlon Sports second-team All-American for 2013. Quarterback AJ McCarron won’t have to look Cooper’s way all of the time, as seniors Kevin Norwood and Kenny Bell are reliable options, and redshirt freshman Chris Black is due for a breakout year. Adding depth will be DeAndrew White and incoming true freshmen Raheem Falkins and Robert Foster. True freshman OJ Howard could push Brian Vogler to start at tight end.

 

While this list isn't terribly surprising from a national perspective, it ranks among the most impressive achievements Saban has produced. Not only has Alabama historically been a run-first offense through every coaching change, but fans of trendy fast-paced attacks constantly point to the lack of offense when trying to diminish the Crimson Tide's recent accomplishments.

Either way, Alabama fans have a lot to be excited about on offense in 2013.