John Metchie III emerged as a pivotal player for the Alabama Crimson Tide, showcasing exceptional talent and dedication throughout his collegiate career. From stepping into a leading role as a junior to earning All-SEC honors, Metchie’s journey is marked by remarkable achievements and resilience. This article delves into his impressive seasons with the Crimson Tide, highlighting his key statistics, game performances, and the impact he made on the team.
Dominant 2021 Season: Stepping into the Spotlight
In 2021, John Metchie solidified his position as the No. 1 receiver for the Crimson Tide. Despite a season-ending knee injury in the SEC Championship against Georgia, Metchie’s junior year was nothing short of spectacular. He amassed 96 receptions, leading Alabama and ranking second in the SEC at the time of his injury. This incredible feat placed him third in Alabama’s single-season reception records. Furthermore, he was third in the conference with 1,142 receiving yards, joining an elite group of only 13 receivers in program history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
Metchie, alongside Jameson Williams, formed only the second wide receiver duo in Alabama history to each achieve over 1,000 yards in the same season, demonstrating the explosive offensive power of the Crimson Tide. His eight receiving touchdowns tied for eighth in the SEC, further underscoring his scoring threat. Preseason accolades included being named to watch lists for prestigious awards like the Biletnikoff Award, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award. He also earned preseason second-team All-America recognition from the Associated Press. The UA coaches recognized his outstanding performances by naming him offensive player of the week for multiple games including matchups against Miami, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Arkansas, Auburn, and Georgia.
Key Game Performances in 2021
- Miami: Metchie started the season strong, leading Tide wide receivers with six catches for 76 yards and scoring the first touchdown of the season with a 37-yard reception.
- Mercer: He continued his consistent play with five receptions for 70 yards, including a team-long 41-yard gain.
- Florida: Against a tough Florida defense, Metchie again led all wideouts with six receptions.
- Southern Miss: He recorded a team-high seven receptions for 45 yards.
- Ole Miss: Metchie found the end zone against Ole Miss, catching three passes for 35 yards and a 16-yard touchdown, opening the scoring for Alabama.
- Texas A&M: He contributed significantly with seven receptions for 88 yards.
- Mississippi State: In a standout performance, Metchie led all Crimson Tide receivers with seven catches for 117 yards and a 46-yard touchdown, again scoring Alabama’s first points of the game.
- Tennessee: He had a career-defining game against Tennessee, hauling in 11 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns. He was a yards-after-catch machine, accumulating 81 yards after the catch and converting six first downs.
- LSU: Metchie continued his touchdown streak, scoring for the third consecutive game, part of a nine-reception, 73-yard performance.
- Arkansas: Against Arkansas, he was targeted 14 times, catching 10 passes for 173 yards and a 20-yard touchdown, along with six first-down conversions.
- Auburn: Stepping up in the absence of Jameson Williams, Metchie delivered a career-best performance in the Iron Bowl, catching 13 passes for 150 yards. He was crucial in overtime, securing two two-point conversions, including the game-winning catch in the fourth overtime.
- Georgia: In his final game of the season before injury, Metchie caught six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown against a formidable Georgia defense, scoring on a 13-yard reception.
2020 Season: Expanding Role and SEC Recognition
The 2020 season saw John Metchie further establish himself as a key offensive weapon for Alabama. Starting as the No. 3 wide receiver, his role expanded significantly after an injury to Jaylen Waddle. Metchie averaged an impressive 16.7 yards per reception, ranking seventh in the SEC. He totaled 916 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 55 catches. Remarkably, 35 of his receptions resulted in either a first down or a touchdown, highlighting his impact on crucial plays. His performance led to his addition to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List mid-season, after the Tennessee game. The Alabama coaches recognized his contributions, naming him offensive player of the week for his performance against Texas A&M and special teams player of the week after the Ole Miss game.
Key Game Performances in 2020
- Texas A&M: This game was a breakout performance for Metchie. He led all receivers with 181 yards and two touchdowns on just five receptions, scoring on plays of 78 and 63 yards. He earned offensive player of the week honors from the coaching staff.
- Ole Miss: Metchie earned special teams player of the week for recovering an onside kick. Offensively, he added four catches for 75 yards.
- Georgia: He scored his third touchdown of the season as part of a three-catch, 50-yard game, with a long reception of 40 yards for Alabama’s first score.
- Tennessee: Metchie led the team with 151 receiving yards on seven catches, converting six first downs.
- Kentucky: He made one catch against Kentucky, but it was a significant one – an 18-yard touchdown.
- Auburn: In the Iron Bowl, Metchie scored two touchdowns as part of a six-catch, 55-yard game, marking his second two-touchdown game of the year.
- Arkansas: He led all Tide receivers with 72 yards on five catches.
- Florida: He totaled four receptions for 62 yards and made a crucial play on special teams, forcing a fumble with a big hit after an Alabama turnover.
- Ohio State (National Championship): Playing through injury, Metchie finished second among Tide receivers with eight receptions and 81 yards in the National Championship game.
2019 Season: Building a Foundation
In his freshman year in 2019, John Metchie began to carve out his role within Alabama’s deep receiving corps. He played in all 13 games, contributing four receptions for 23 yards and also adding a tackle on special teams, gaining valuable experience.
Key Moments in 2019
- Duke: Metchie caught his first career pass for a five-yard gain in his debut game.
- Southern Miss: He made one catch and recorded a tackle.
- Arkansas & Western Carolina: He recorded one catch in each of these games, gaining five and 17 yards respectively.
High School and Personal Background
John Metchie’s journey to Alabama was preceded by a notable high school career. Rated as a four-star recruit, he was recognized as a top athlete and prospect, ranked highly in New Jersey by Rivals.com and 247Sports. Born in Taiwan, he moved to Ghana and then Canada before coming to the United States for high school. He attended St. James School in Maryland and The Peddie School in New Jersey. Across four seasons at St. James, he amassed over 1,300 rushing yards, 2,500 receiving yards, and 42 touchdowns. He chose Alabama over offers from Georgia, Maryland, and Penn State, among others.
Conclusion
John Metchie’s career at Alabama was defined by consistent growth, exceptional playmaking ability, and resilience. From his freshman year contributions to his standout junior season, he proved himself to be a top-tier receiver. His statistics and game performances speak volumes about his talent and dedication, leaving a lasting legacy within the Crimson Tide program and setting the stage for his future endeavors.
