Here's why Tyler Harrell didn't play much for Alabama football in 2022
NEW ORLEANS ― Before Tyler Harrell walked out of the locker room at the Caesars Superdome, he put the orthopedic boot back on his right foot.
He had just suited up for Alabama football in the Sugar Bowl against Kansas State, so he wasn't out with an injury wearing street clothes. But he is still dealing with lingering affects from a foot injury he has dealt with this season.
"Yeah the injury set me back," Harrell said, talking in the locker room after Alabama beat Kansas State 45-20. "After I healed up, I was dealing with the same injury."
Harrell, a Louisville transfer, didn't suit up for the Crimson Tide until the Mississippi State game in late October. He saw six snaps and caught one pass for 12 yards in that game. This season, he saw 33 snaps total, per Pro Football Focus. Harrell finished with two receptions for 18 yards.
He was expected to bring significant speed to the lineup this season for Alabama (11-2). At the Louisville pro day, he was hand-timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.19 seconds and officially clocked at 4.24. The record at the NFL combine is 4.22.
But the foot injury kept that speed hidden for much of the season.
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“It’s unfortunate the guy missed a lot of time because of an injury,” Nick Saban said in late October. “He is making a lot of progress. He does offer something with his speed. That is always something that can benefit you on offense. Want him to continue to improve and hopefully we can create roles for him down the road here that is going to be effective for him and for us.”
Harrell said he is considering three options this offseason, staying, transferring and entering the NFL Draft. He doesn't have a timeline for his decision.
"I'm still debating," Harrell said. "We're going to see until the time comes."
He's disappointed how the injury affected his availability and development, but he called the season "phenomenal."
"We've got a great team," Harrell said. "We should have went to the playoffs, though. But they played with us. We got the job done, went to the bowl game and we blew them out, showing them what we're working with."
Is he glad he came to Alabama?
"Yes, I'm glad," Harrell said. "100%."
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Here's why Tyler Harrell didn't play much for Alabama football in 2022
