Alabama star receiver Jaylen Waddle has returned to follow. Now the query is will he be capable of play within the title recreation Monday evening in opposition to Ohio State?

Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian says Waddle practiced on Tuesday, however he deferred questions on his standing to educate Nick Saban, who didn’t handle the media on Wednesday.

“We’ll see the place it goes from right here,” Sarkisian mentioned. “Clearly we’ve obtained a few week or so till the sport.”

Waddle hasn’t performed since breaking his proper ankle whereas returning the opening kickoff in opposition to Tennessee on Oct. 4. One of many nation’s most harmful return males, he had surgical procedure after the sport.

In his absence, DeVonta Smith went on to place up large enough numbers to win the Heisman Trophy on Tuesday. That will put the onus on the Buckeyes to defend that formidable pair.

“I feel you completely have to organize as if he’s going to play,” Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs mentioned. “He’s a unprecedented athlete, extraordinary receiver.”

Waddle had 557 yards and 4 touchdowns within the Tide’s first 4 video games, whereas opponents largely kicked away from him.

Waddle has made three of this system’s 5 longest scoring catches. His profession common of 19.1 yards per catch ranks second amongst Tide gamers with a minimum of 100 receptions. He additionally has returned two punts and a kick for touchdowns in his profession.

“I feel he’s getting again into it,” Smith mentioned. “After all he’s going to take a while only for him to get again comfy with all the things, however he appears good to me.”

Quarterback Mac Jones agreed. Neither participant provided an opinion on whether or not Waddle would play.

“It’d be actually cool,” Jones mentioned. “Jaylen has labored actually laborious to get again on the sector and I do know he desires nothing greater than to play, however I feel they’re simply going to make that call downstairs.

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“But it surely’s his alternative, and I really feel like in watching him, he appears actually good on the market. So we’ll see what occurs.”

`GOOD DAY’ FOR BUCKEYES

A day after a report raised the potential of the School Soccer Playoff championship being delayed due to COVID-19 points at Ohio State, Buckeyes athletic director Gene Smith advised The Related Press he anticipated the sport will go on as scheduled.

“Within the COVID world it’s day-by-day,” Smith mentioned Wednesday. “Immediately was a great day.”

AL.com first reported Tuesday that Ohio State had reached out to CFP officers with issues about participant availability when the Buckeyes face No. 1 Alabama on Monday evening in Miami Gardens, Florida. An individual with data of the state of affairs confirmed these discussions to the AP, however Smith and CFP Government Director Invoice Hancock each launched statements saying there was no change to the schedule.

Smith declined to offer any particulars about what virus-related issues Ohio State is likely to be going through, however he did say the workforce practiced Wednesday.

“We’re in good condition. Able to roll,” Smith mentioned.

Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson posted pictures on Twitter displaying her visiting with coach Ryan Day and the workforce within the faculty’s indoor follow facility.

“I can’t wait to affix Buckeyes all over the world on Jan. 11 in cheering on this very particular workforce,” Johnson wrote.

WEST COAST EXPORTS

The West Coast will likely be properly represented within the nationwide championship recreation among the many gamers, if not the soccer applications themselves.

Alabama All-America tailback Najee Harris, Ohio State huge receiver Chris Olave and Buckeyes All-America guard Wyatt Davis are all from California.

Harris, for one, misses the California sunshine, however he has no regrets about his buying and selling the West Coast for the Southern humidity – and soccer.

“They are saying a variety of West Coast guys can’t play in I suppose conferences like this, the SEC,” mentioned Harris, who was fifth within the Heisman Trophy voting. “So I needed to love kill that hype, I suppose, in a approach and present that we will play, that West Coast folks can play.

“We’ve much more guys from the West Coast taking part in within the SEC than earlier than, so it’s good to see a variety of guys journey throughout.”

MORE RESPECT FOR FIELDS

Coombs, who has been teaching soccer for practically three a long time, says Ohio State’s Justin Fields is among the many greatest quarterbacks ever.

Fields, the second-year Buckeyes starter and sure first-round NFL draft decide, added to his resume on Wednesday when he was named the winner of the 2020 Chicago Tribune Silver Soccer award as the very best participant within the Huge Ten.

“He’s obtained command of the offense, he understands the place we wish to distribute the ball,” mentioned Coombs, who was an assistant with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans final season after a five-year stint on City Meyer‘s workers at Ohio State. “He’s among the best quarterbacks I’ve ever seen and been round, and we’ve been round some actually good ones right here. He’s actually gifted.”

BATTLE IN THE TRENCHES

Ohio State defensive deal with Haskell Garrett mentioned he’s wanting ahead to going through the Tide’s offensive entrance, which simply received the 2020 Joe Moore Award this week because the nation’s greatest O-line.

“Will probably be received within the trenches, little doubt,” mentioned Garrett, who recovered from a gunshot wound to the face in August to change into one of many leaders of the Buckeyes’ protection.

“Video games like this will likely be received up entrance,” he mentioned. “If you happen to can’t transfer offensive and defensive strains, then you haven’t any probability at successful. Offensive and defensive linemen are unsung heroes. We would not get the glamour and the flash, but it surely’s received up entrance and the higher entrance goes to win this recreation.”

Bama’s Waddle again working towards, standing for title recreation unclear initially appeared on NBCSports.com