Tommy Rees worked as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2023, when wide receiver Isaiah Bond had 48 receptions for 668 yards and four touchdowns for the Crimson Tide.
Rees is now the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, and, since Monday, Bond is a wide receiver for the NFL team.
Bond said his connection to Rees “definitely played a big role” in his signing with the Browns.
“He already knows my skill set,” Bond said on Tuesday. “(Cleveland general manager) Andrew Berry and my agent have been talking since the draft. And also I admired Jerry Jeudy growing up. That’s one reason I went to Alabama. And when my agent said that the Browns want you, I said, ‘Let’s go.’ To just be under the wing of a guy like Jerry Jeudy, to pick his brain and for him to give me some tips, I said it was a no-brainer.”
An All-American at Alabama, Jeudy was in his third NFL season when Bond played his first for the Crimson Tide in 2022. Last season, Jeudy earned Pro Bowl recognition with Cleveland.
The Browns signed Bond to a three-year contract four days after a grand jury in Texas declined to indict him on a sexual-assault charge. Bond had turned himself in to law-enforcement authorities two weeks before the NFL Draft on an outstanding warrant. He went undrafted after playing the 2024 season at Texas.
“I think anyone, especially in my predicament, thinks that they wouldn’t get that chance,” Bond said. “But like I said, I placed my faith in God during this time and not to take things for granted, so that’s also helped me get through these times, for sure. …
“I’m very, very determined to show not only the organization but also the fan base why they made the right decision.”
Jeudy had 90 receptions for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, but Cleveland’s No. 2 wide receiver – Elijah Moore with 61 receptions for 538 yards and one touchdown – is now with the Buffalo Bills. Cedric Tillman returns after catching 29 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns last season.
“I think like any player that comes in, we need to get him up to speed,” Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said, “and see where he fits and those type of things. But certainly he’s got the right attitude, and we’ll know more over the next couple days. …
“I think with any young player, as you add them to your team, it’s the same conversation that happened for a lot of guys back in April. But it’s about earning a role. It’s about earning the trust of your teammates and your coaches, and he understands that and is ready to get going.”
Bond practiced with the Browns for the first time on Tuesday. Cleveland plays its preseason finale on Saturday afternoon against the Los Angeles Rams. The Browns’ regular-season schedule kicks off on Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“I’ve been practicing two-a-days,” Bond said. “I mean, I’ve been playing sports my whole life, so working out is just like getting up and waking up. I’ve been working out this whole time. …
“I think the biggest challenge is learning that playbook. But for me, I don’t see that as a big challenge. That’s just something I have to do.”
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1.
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