re: 2020 FB Recruiting & Roster

quote:

---

Elite is not the word I would use for Jones-Bell. He went to the all star game and did not stand out. He didnt look out of place but did not stand out. I think hes a good player but there are probably 10-15 receivers better than him this cycle. This is a deep year for WRs but i think hes probably just outside a top 100 player. So Elite is not the word I would use

---

"Alabama was in position to be one of the top programs represented at Thursday's Under Armour All-America Game, but injuries kept Drew Sanders, Jase McClellan and Demouy Kennedy from participating. Still, the Crimson Tide have a quartet of guys in the game. I spent Tuesday's practice zeroed in on those players and here is what I saw:

Thaiu Jones-Bell, WR, Miami Carol City -- Tuesday was an extension of the first two days for the No. 20 WR in the 247Sports Composite. He catches the ball with ease and is comfortable making plays in traffic. He doesn't panic and he tracks the ball well into his soft hands. He was tight out of his breaks and he was able to get behind the defense. He was quick on slants and easily gained leverage. He will need to increase his strength so he can deal with physical DBs in the SEC, but that should be remedied quickly." - Brian Dohn, 247Sports

"WR Thaiu Jones-Bell has been good both days and was especially good today. Natural pass catcher, soft hands and showed very good down field speed. Slight frame, listed at 5-11, 183 pounds but looks leaner than that so will benefit from the Tide strength program to add some size and strength. Competes for the ball in 50-50 situations and gets good separation getting in and out of his breaks. Projects as a guy who can make plays down the field and is strong after the catch." - Greg Biggins, 247Sports

He's an All-American, ranked #20 out of 500 WRs in the composite rankings (top 4%) and ranked the #101 player in the country regardless of position. Jr stats: 38 catches for 853 yards, 17 TDs. Sr stats: 38 catches for 745 yards, 6 TDs. He was one of the Bama staff's top WR targets, which is a much better indicator of his potential than the recruiting site rankings, and is now a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide, one of the top programs in CFB. So imo, "elite" doesn't seem like an inappropriate word to use. And, I'm very glad he chose to roll with the Tide.