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Where does Alabama turn to replace Kendrick Law vs. Vanderbilt?
Alabama WR Kendrick Law was listed as “out” on Friday night’s availability report, meaning the Crimson Tide will be down a key player and starting WR. Who needs to step up to fill that void?
By John Mitchell | 8:00 AM EDT
Aug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Kendrick Law (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Aug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Kendrick Law (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images / Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Alabama updated its football availability report on Friday night ahead of their road game against Vanderbilt, and starting WR Kendrick Law was listed as out. On Thursday, Law was listed as questionable after DeBoer had called him day-to-day earlier in the week.
With Law out, Alabama will have a big void at WR. While Law hasn’t made a huge statistical impact, his blocking on the edge has been invaluable to the offense. He’s gained a reputation as one of the best blocking WR’s in the country. It’s like having an extra tight end on the outside who can also run a 4.4 40-yard-dash. That’s not easily replicable.
So where does Alabama turn without Law on the field in Nashville?
The most obvious answer is the guy who was listed as a co-starter with Law at the “H” for last week’s game against Georgia, Kobe Prentice. Prentice is an experienced guy and in some ways will be an upgrade to Law on the field.
Prentice is a better route runner and was Alabama’s most experienced returning receiver. But Prentice is a lot smaller than Law, so most likely I think you will see Germie Bernard trying to fill the Law role on the edge with Prentice sliding to the Z receiver spot.
After Law got injured against Georgia, it was Bernard who motioned into the backfield on the fourth and one in the second quarter to try and add an extra blocker. That almost certainly would have been Law if he was healthy.
There’s an opportunity for other guys to step up, too. Prentice probably gets the start, but junior Emmanuel Henderson and sophomore Cole Adams could also see extra work. Henderson got in the game early against Georgia and made the game’s first big play on the opening drive with a 34-yard catch.
Henderson was a running back in high school, so while a little more slender than Law, he has more physicality than the other options.
The coaching staff has a lot of faith in Adams and Kalen DeBoer and OC Nick Sheridan have been complimentary of the second year WR.
The most intriguing option could be true freshman Caleb Odom, who is the biggest of the WR’s. He’s got a tight end body with WR skills. It’ll all depend on how much of the scheme Odom has picked up as a first year player and if he can be trusted to be where he is supposed to be.
Law’s loss is big, but against an opponent like Vanderbilt it is best to not risk getting him more hurt. He’ll be needed down the road as the Crimson Tide still has a lot of tough games left.
