Tide transfer ready to contribute

TUSCALOOSA — Colin Peek didn’t squander his first opportunity to establish himself as a contender to replace one of two tight ends in Alabama’s scrimmage on Wednesday.

Peek, at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, is a transfer from Georgia Tech who started 11 games and caught 25 passes for 248 yards in 2007 with the Yellow Jackets. He transferred to Alabama after that season when new Jackets coach Paul Johnson replaced Chan Gailey’s pro-style offense with the option. He sat out his transfer year as tight ends Anthony McCall and Nick Walker enjoyed big senior seasons. An injury kept Peek sidelined for the Sugar Bowl.

He must have been itching to return to the field. Peek, who played on three consecutive state championship teams at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla.,
caught seven passes for 33 yards Wednesday. That included touchdown receptions covering 15 and 4 yards from Greg McElroy.

Fellow tight end Chris Underwood caught four passes for 32 yards. Michael Williams (6-foot-6, 265), who moved from defensive end to tight end during Sugar
Bowl preparation, and Brad Smelley, who contributed in several games last season, comprise a tight end unit whose lack of playing time shouldn’t be confused
with a lack of talent.

“I think they have done a nice job as a group,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said Wednesday following the scrimmage. “I think they have got a ton of reps
because we play so many two tight ends. I think Michael Williams has probably made the most improvement. He is a big body guy that is a pretty good
blocker.”

Peek said the strength of the unit, however, is the number of versatile athletes. Last season, McCall was a devastating blocker and Walker a reliable receiver.

Peek said he wants to avoid that connotation.

“The ability to have multiple tight ends who can block and receive at the same time, it brings another dimension to the table when you’re on the field,” Peek
said in a recent interview. “… It makes it really frustrating for defensive coordinators on the other side to game plan for you.

“I think just becoming an all-around tight end is where you have great blocking tight ends, but at the same time, they’re really versatile, able to get down the
field and make receiving plays happen for you. … It can really change a game.”

Saban said the unit, as a whole, must execute correctly to realize its potential.

“Timing on routes, running the right depth. Those kinds of little things are things that I think the entire group needs to work on and develop,” Saban said. But for
a group that must replace two productive seniors, the coach added, “That whole group has made nice progress and I am pretty pleased with the way they have
developed.”

The tight end has earned the respect of his teammates, who have seen him sit through transfer despite his playing time as a true freshman.

“I know he’s an extremely hard worker,” offensive lineman David Ross said. “I mean, I’ve seen him in the offseason program, and I’ve seen him in practice make
some plays, no question. He’s obviously a big target to throw to.”

Peek said he is relieved to be back on the field after the “super-frustrating” stress fracture in his foot that sidelined him for the Sugar Bowl.

“To have that happen, I try to take things like, it just wasn’t my time to play yet,” Peek said.

“I’m just glad to have the chance really to play. I think we have a tremendous tight end unit. I think that there’s going to be multiple tight ends used at times, so
I just want to be, hopefully, an instrumental aspect of the team. I think that’s what any player would want and just have the chance to contribute on any level.”

He says the player he watches closely is Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez. Peek again stresses the versatility of the position.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to bring a powerful tight end, a big tight end who can be a pass receiver and a blocking tight end at the same time,” he said. “That’s my
goal for myself.”