Bama-bound Javon Baker headlines McEachern’s aerial attack

For many young pass catchers, its easy to dominate opposing defenses with just track star speed and the ability to catch a wide open pass in stride. But McEacherns Javon Baker has built his national fame off of far more than that; instead, Baker has built his career on a well-rounded game and strong receiver-specific skills.

Baker is not a track star. Well, he does run track for the Indians, but thats not how he plays on the field. In fact, he ran a 4.75 second 40 at The Opening in March. What he lacks in elite speed, however, Baker makes up for with his complete skillset.

Kyle Hockman was Bakers head coach in 2017 and 2018. He sung his former players praises to the Marietta Daily Journal, saying Hes working, hes doing all of it. Its not just the glory part [for him]. And Hockman wasnt joking. Baker brings everything you want from a receiver: flawless hands, top tier route running, and an insatiable drive to get better.

The Marietta Daily Journal also spoke to Baker, and he brought up that concept of always improving. I came up with the idea of catching 1,000 balls a day, he said. I just want to practice, and the competitive person in me was always like, I aint going to miss anymore balls in practice. That 1,000 catches a day is a routine which Baker follow religiously and is just one part of his self-imposed regiment, which also includes speed and agility drills and can last until 9 p.m.

Recruiting expert Rusty Mansell of 247Sports backed up these claims about hard work. Despite being an elite player, he does not rest on his laurels. No matter being committed to Alabama, no matter his ranking, no matter his invite to the All-American Bowl, I dont think thats going to affect him in any way, shape or form hes got that dog in him.

In November of last year, Baker committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide. The two seem like a good match, according to Mansell. Hes going to fit right in [with the Alabama offense], he said. Hes physical, hell block, hes got a big body, and hes able to separate.

Mansell continued with his high evaluation of Baker, saying Hes a big time player. He has ball skills, he can run He couldve landed anywhere he wanted to in the country.

Alabama has been pipelining elite receivers to the NFL lately. Julio Jones led the league in receiving yards last season. After a trade from Oakland to Dallas, Amari Cooper revived the floundering Cowboys offense. There are currently three potential future first rounders in Tuscaloosa, those being Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, and DeVonta Smith. All three are juniors, and will either be seniors or in the NFL when Baker joins the Tide.

Rumors have circled regarding Bakers commitment to Alabama, however. After signing on in late November, 2018, he received an offer from Georgia Tech. GT is just 40 minutes from Bakers home. Since receiving that offer he has unofficially visited the Yellow Jackets thrice. Prior to committing to Alabama, he visited them twice within two weeks. Two of Bakers three visits to GT came within ten days. Hes also visited Tennessee and attended an LSU camp in June. It may be of note also that while Bakers Twitter bio, profile picture, and retweets mention Alabama, his liked tweets could rise suspicion. Hes like multiple tweets pertaining to Florida, Auburn, and Tennessee; some as indirect as tweets from alumni and future players at those schools, others as straight forward as tweets of new facilities and practices from the teams official Twitters.

With all that said, Baker himself has not verbally indicated any interest in other schools.

Baker and the McEachern Indians play Brookwood in the penultimate game of the 2019 Corky Kell Classic. The game is on Aug. 24 at 5:45 p.m., in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.