Initially, the challenge was to spread the ball to all of Alabama’s threats. Then it became a matter of finding space for DeVonta Smith when the injury of Jaylen Waddle diverted all defensive attention in his own way.
Eventually, Steve Sarkisian’s plan worked to turn this Crimson Tide offense into a national title. Now that he’s in full Texas mode, the former offensive coordinator in Alabama is in the interview circle and some questions come up about the 2020 season in Tuscaloosa.
The dynamics of the reception room spanned a few minutes of a Friday morning talk on the Dan Patrick Show.
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Sarkisian said things were fairly evenly distributed early in the fall, while Smith, Waddle and John Metchie caught pretty much the same amount. In fact, it was Waddle who had bigger numbers the first few weeks than the eventual Heisman trophy winner. Then came the first kickoff in Tennessee.
“When we lost Waddle, all we designed was how it included DeVonta Smith, or how it drew the defense’s attention to DeVonta Smith so other guys could open up,” Sarkisian said Friday at the Dan Patrick Show. ‘And I think he accepted the role. He assumed he was the good guy, but he also adopted a lure if you want to open up to other people. He really worked for it. ”
Of course, Smith received only one game from less than 100 yards after leaving Knoxville, and that was because he played a more limited role in the final game of the regular season in Arkansas. He had 231 yards on LSU, a school record of 15 catches against Florida and a 12-catch, 215-yard first half in the title game against the state of Ohio.
Waddle, of course, returned to catch three passes for 34 yards in the championship game after it appeared his season ended with the ankle injury in Tennessee.
Sarkisian jumped back at the time before he was injured and said they considered Smith and Waddle as 1A and 1B.
“DeVonta has had a lot more real experience for us in Alabama,” Sarkisian said. “We knew what we were getting into with him. Waddle was a bit unique. He really was the fourth contestant the previous two years with (Jerry) Jeudy and (Henry) Ruggs still there. We all knew what a great comeback he was and we all knew what he could do with the ball in his hands if he offended, but what people did not know was how good he was a route, the versatility to to play in the lock or outside. .
‘So we really thought about it, and both guys were the best recipients. I think Waddle might have surprised some defenses with his versatility, but at the end of the day we knew what DeVonta Smith was and he was an excellent player. ”
Smith set school records with 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. Waddle averaged 21.1 yards per catch with 28 total and 591 yards in five games.
The topic of recruitment was also raised in the Patrick interview. Sarkisian said he does not know if you should necessarily recruit Nick Saban, but that they will play their strengths in Texas.
“The children we can recruit are much closer to us in the state,” Sarkisian said. ‘Where in Alabama, I think they need to go a little further. There is not much going on for them, but clearly the performance history that Coach Saban has compiled is unparalleled, but I think we are going to build something special here and the plan is for me to be here for the next 15 or 20 years. .
“Hopefully you’re interviewing someone here in 15 years and asking them the same question, how are you going to recruit Sark in Texas?”
Alabama plays in Texas on September 10, 2022 before the Longhorns travel to Tuscaloosa on September 9, 2023.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or to Facebook.