Bama's Underappreciated Receiver: Marquis Maze

Why is Marquis Maze so underappreciated by Bama-Nation?

It isn’t as if he doesn’t produce. I can’t have been the only person who saw the 80-yard reception during the Arkansas game. Or watched him step up to catch while Jones is heavily covered or too injured to play. The massive improvement seen from the 2008 season to the 2009 season isn’t all in his numbers. Sure they were better for the 2009 season, but it was more the way he carried himself on the field as well.

So why is it when people make lists of their top 5 players at Alabama, or talk about Alabama’s receiving corps, the only name you usually hear is Julio Jones? Don’t get me wrong, Julio is a great player and from what I understand a great guy. But give Maze his due. The kid has a lot of talent and determination; it’s just packed into a smaller frame than Jones’. But you know what they say: “Dynamite comes in small packages.”

Maze is coming into his own - finally. And if Jones can’t stay healthy or get his head in the game better and not drop catches that hit him between the numbers, we may see Maze’s numbers increase drastically this season.

I watched Maze during the 2008 season and saw the speed and latent talent that set my mind to memories of a recent Alabama great. Tyrone Prothro was an amazing receiver whose time on the field was cut too short by a terrible injury that all of Bama Nation felt. Maze struggled some that first season with dropped passes, but man when that kid catches, he’s great. I knew that with a little more time and training under his belt and confidence in his hands he would be amazing.

2009 proved my point. Maze averaged more yards per carry than Jones, even though he had fewer receptions. His catching ability was greatly improved and his confidence in himself is obviously better. If he continues that rate of improvement I think we definitely have another receiver to watch who will produce some great stats in the coming season.

Obviously as long as we have the intense duo of running backs that we have in Trent Richardson and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram with Eddie Lacey coming up fast as well, no receiver will put up numbers like Prothro did at Alabama.  But I sure will enjoy watching Marquis Maze try!