The two weeks Chris had been dreading and preparing for arrived faster than he had expected. Practices had ramped up, and with the season opener looming, tensions were high. For Chris, every single snap, every single drill, was an opportunity to prove he wasn't just a walk-on filling out the roster. He wanted more than that—he wanted a starting spot.
The veterans were already settled into their roles. Guys like Amari Cooper and Kevin Norwood seemed untouchable. They had experience, chemistry with the quarterbacks, and the trust of the coaches. Chris, on the other hand, was still fighting to even get noticed.
But he had something the others didn't.
He had the System.
After a grueling practice session, Chris sat in the locker room, sweat dripping down his face and his muscles screaming from exhaustion. He checked the System's interface, his stats laid out in front of him like a checklist.
"Speed: 93/100, Agility: 82/100, Strength: 79/100, Stamina: 91/100, Catching: 85/100."
He had distributed his skill points wisely, boosting his catching ability and stamina for long practices. But it still didn't feel like enough. As long as Amari and Kevin were ahead of him, Chris knew he'd have to push himself even harder.
The System chimed in, as it always did.
"Quest progress: Earn a starting spot. Days remaining: 10."
Chris exhaled, wiping his face with a towel. He had ten days to somehow leapfrog some of the most talented players in college football. Ten days to show the coaches he wasn't just another body on the roster.
The next morning, Chris jogged onto the field, determination etched into every step. The Alabama heat was unforgiving, even in the early hours of practice, but the heat didn't bother him anymore. He had adapted, his body conditioned through weeks of relentless training.
Coach Napier, the receivers coach, blew the whistle, gathering the wide receivers for their individual drills. Chris lined up, listening intently to the instructions. They were working on timing routes today, and Chris knew this was an area where he could excel. He had been working on his hands, catching dozens of passes late at night in the empty field just outside his dorm.
"Alright, you know the drill," Coach Napier barked. "Receivers, I want clean routes, no sloppy cuts. Quarterbacks, get the ball out fast and on target. We need this timing perfect before game day."
The players lined up, and Chris found himself near the back of the line, watching the veterans go through the drill. Amari was first, and he ran his route with flawless precision, catching the ball effortlessly. Chris admired how smooth he looked, but he also knew that he could compete. He had the speed, the stamina, and now, his catching ability was at an elite level.
When it was finally his turn, Chris crouched low, mentally preparing himself. The System's interface flashed briefly in his mind, reminding him of his stats.
"Speed: 93/100, Catching: 85/100."
The quarterback, AJ McCarron, took the snap, and Chris exploded off the line. His legs moved like pistons, each step perfectly timed. At ten yards, he planted his foot hard, cutting inside on a slant route. The cornerback trailing him was half a step behind, just close enough to contest the catch.
The ball was already in the air, spiraling toward Chris like a missile. His eyes locked onto it, his hands outstretched, ready.
"Activating Catching Boost: +3 for 5 seconds."
The familiar pulse of energy shot through him, and his hands moved with perfect coordination. The ball hit his palms, and he pulled it in securely, tucking it against his chest as he turned upfield. The cornerback lunged, but Chris was already past him, sprinting down the field with ease.
The whistle blew.
"Nice catch, Carter," Coach Napier called out, jotting something down on his clipboard. "Run it again."
Chris jogged back to the line, his heart racing. He was getting noticed. That was the key—keep performing, keep showing them he belonged.
The next few reps went just as well. Chris's routes were crisp, and his catches were clean. The System's boosts gave him the edge he needed, but it was more than that now. Chris had started to believe in his own abilities, to trust himself. The System wasn't carrying him—it was helping him unlock his full potential.
By the time practice ended, Chris was exhausted but satisfied. He had made some solid plays, and the coaches had taken notice. He could feel it. But there was still a long way to go.
As he walked off the field, Amari Cooper caught up to him, jogging alongside with an easy stride.
"You've been looking good out there, man," Amari said, a hint of approval in his voice. "Keep it up, and you might just see some playing time."
Chris glanced at him, surprised. Amari had never been openly hostile, but he hadn't exactly been welcoming either. It was more of a competitive rivalry between them, an unspoken understanding that they were both fighting for the same thing—time on the field.
"Thanks," Chris replied, catching his breath. "I'm just trying to keep up."
Amari smirked. "You're doing more than that. But don't think it'll be easy. This is Alabama. Everyone here can ball."
Chris nodded, fully aware of the challenge ahead. But for the first time, he felt like he had a real shot at cracking the starting lineup.
The next few days were a blur of practices, film sessions, and late-night workouts. Chris pushed himself harder than ever before, determined to earn his spot. He could feel the pressure mounting, but the System's quest tracker kept him focused.
"Quest progress: Earn a starting spot. Days remaining: 5."
Each day, Chris performed better, his routes sharper, his catches more consistent. He wasn't just surviving anymore—he was excelling. The coaching staff had started giving him more reps with the first-string offense, a clear sign that they were considering him for a larger role.
But the real test came at the end of the week.
Coach Napier had scheduled a full-team scrimmage, with the starting positions on the line. This was it. The final evaluation before the depth chart was set.
Chris could feel the tension in the locker room as the players prepared. Everyone knew what was at stake. This wasn't just practice anymore—this was a chance to prove who deserved to be on the field come game day.
As Chris laced up his cleats, he felt the familiar hum of the System activating in the background.
"New quest available: Dominate the scrimmage. Record at least 3 catches and score 1 touchdown. Reward: 15 skill points."
Chris exhaled slowly, his mind laser-focused. This was the moment he had been waiting for.
The scrimmage started with the usual intensity, players flying around the field, trying to make their mark. Chris lined up with the first-string offense, his heart racing. The defense was tough—C.J. Mosley and the rest of the Alabama defense were always one of the best in the country, and today was no different.
But Chris didn't back down.
On the first series, the offense marched down the field, mixing in running plays with T.J. Yeldon and short passes from McCarron. Chris ran his routes with precision, but the ball didn't come his way. McCarron was locked in on Amari and Kevin Norwood, and Chris could feel the frustration building. He needed to make an impact.
Then, on a second-and-five near midfield, Chris got his chance. He lined up wide, the cornerback playing off coverage. The play call was a quick slant, a chance for Chris to use his speed and agility to create separation.
The ball was snapped, and Chris took off. At five yards, he cut inside, his foot planting hard in the turf. The cornerback reacted a split second too late, and Chris was already in the clear.
McCarron saw it too, firing the ball into the gap. Chris extended his hands, catching the ball cleanly before turning upfield. He juked past the safety and gained a few extra yards before being brought down.
One catch down.
The offense hurried back to the line, and Chris felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He was in the zone now.
On the next play, McCarron dropped back, scanning the field. Chris ran a deep post, cutting toward the middle. The defense was in zone coverage, but Chris found the soft spot between the linebackers and safeties. McCarron launched the ball, and Chris tracked it in the air, adjusting his route perfectly.
He leaped, snagging the ball out of the air, and came down with a clean catch. Two catches.
The offense kept pushing, and Chris could feel the momentum building. They were in the red zone now, just outside the 10-yard line.
This was it.
McCarron called for a fade route, Chris's specialty. He lined up wide, the cornerback playing tight coverage this time. Chris knew it would be a physical battle to get open, but he was ready.
The ball was snapped, and Chris sprinted toward the corner of the end zone. The cornerback was all over him, grabbing and pushing, but Chris fought through it, using his strength and agility.
The ball hit Chris's hands, and for a moment, everything seemed to freeze. The roar of the crowd, the shuffle of players on the field, even the snap of the football as it sliced through the air—all of it faded into the background.
Chris felt the weight of the ball settle into his grip, his fingers wrapping tightly around the leather as he came down in the corner of the end zone. The cornerback swiped at it, but it was too late.
Touchdown.
The whistle blew, and just like that, the moment exploded back into life. His teammates came rushing over, patting him on the helmet, celebrating the play. Chris couldn't stop the grin spreading across his face, but he kept it in check, knowing that this was just one play, one scrimmage.
But it was big.
"Quest completed: Dominate the scrimmage. You have earned 15 skill points."
The notification rang in his mind, but Chris barely noticed. His focus was still on the field, the scrimmage continuing as he caught his breath. He had made a statement today, and not just with the catch. His route running, his speed, his awareness—it had all come together at the perfect moment. Now, it was just a matter of whether Coach Saban had seen enough.