Prior to their road game against Vanderbilt, Alabama updated their football availability report on Friday night, and starting wide receiver Kendrick Law was noted as out. After DeBoer called Law day-to-day earlier in the week, he was categorized as questionable on Thursday.
Alabama will have a huge hole at wide receiver with Law out. Law hasn’t had much of an impact statistically, but his edge blocking has been crucial to the offense. He’s been known as one of the nation’s top blocking wide receivers. It’s similar to having an additional outside tight end who is capable of running a 4.4 40-yard sprint. That is difficult to duplicate.
So where does Alabama turn without Law on the field in Nashville?
The most obvious response is Kobe Prentice, who was named as Law’s co-starter at the “H” for last week’s game versus Georgia. Given his experience, Prentice will provide Law with a certain level of superiority on the field.
Prentice was the most seasoned returning receiver for Alabama and a superior route runner. However, Prentice is much smaller than Law, so I believe that Prentice will slide to the Z receiver position and Germie Bernard will attempt to play the Law job on the edge.
Bernard moved into the backfield on a fourth and one in the second quarter to try to add an additional blocker after Law was hurt against Georgia. If Law had been well, it most likely would have been the case.
There’s also a chance for other guys to take the initiative. Prentice is certain to start, but Cole Adams and Emmanuel Henderson, two juniors, might also see more time. With a 34-yard reception on the opening drive, Henderson set up the first major play of the game against Georgia.
Henderson has greater physicality than the other alternatives despite being a little more skinny than Law, having played running back in high school.
Adams is highly regarded by the coaching staff, and both OC Nick Sheridan and KL DeBoer have expressed their admiration for the second-year wide out.
Of all the wide receivers, true freshman Caleb Odom may be the most fascinating prospect. He has WR skills and the build of a tight end. Everything will rely on how much of the plan Odom has learned in his first season and whether or not he can be relied upon to play his role.
Although Law’s loss is significant, it is preferable to avoid risking further injury to him when playing Vanderbilt. He will be required in the future because the Crimson Tide still has a lot of challenging games remaining.
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