In a shocking turn of events during the Week 7 matchup between the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide and the No. 14 Missouri Tigers, freshman wide receiver Derek Meadows took a hit that raised serious concerns about player safety. Let's take a moment to unpack what happened.
Late in the first quarter, Meadows was attempting to snag a pass thrown by quarterback Ty Simpson when he leaped into the air, only to be met with a violent blow from Missouri's defensive back, Marvin Burks Jr. This aggressive hit left Meadows down on the field for several minutes, momentarily casting a shadow over the game.
But here's where it gets controversial: officials swiftly flagged Burks for targeting after reviewing the play, which led to his immediate ejection. This decision means that Missouri has lost one of its key defensive players for the rest of this critical encounter with an Alabama team known for its offensive prowess. The stakes couldn't be higher, as Alabama’s offense capitalized on this call, benefiting from advanced field position due to previous penalties committed by Missouri’s defense, which had already racked up 35 yards in free penalties.
Now, let’s take a closer look at Meadows himself. Although he has participated in four games this season, he has yet to record a reception. Meadows, who hails from the renowned Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, signed with Alabama in 2025. Standing tall at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 212 pounds, he was hailed as the No. 61 prospect nationally and ranked as the 10th wide receiver in his class, highlighting his potential.
Despite this setback, Meadows was seen getting up and walking off the field with assistance from Alabama’s athletic training staff, which is a relief considering the severity of the impact.
As fans and analysts alike, what do you think about the targeting call? Was the ejection justified, or are such penalties hurting the game more than helping it? Join the conversation and share your thoughts below!
