The 2017 wide receiver room for Alabama is what other groups get compared to.
Alabama had five stars Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, Henry Ruggs III, Calvin Ridley, and Robert Foster in the room.
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Jaylen Waddle and Slade Bolden joined the group in 2018 while John Metchie came in 2019. Jeudy, Smith, and Ruggs were impactful in the Crimson Tide winning a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017. Waddle, Bolden, and Metchie assisted Alabama to a CFP National Championship in 2020. Metchie and Jameson Williams became a tandem in 2021, lifting the program to a Southeastern Conference Championship and nearly a national title. It does not possess the same star power, but how productive can this group of receivers be for the Tide? Alabama has some experience back, yet it also has a lot of young talent. Kalen DeBoer dipped into the transfer portal to bring in a familiar playmaker he had at Washington; however, will this bunch restore marquee production fans want to see from receivers? Germie Bernard sees big things from the wide receiver room.
The transfer from Washington was the second student-athlete to speak Monday on “Hey Coach.”
Bernard led all receivers with three catches for 122 yards on A-Day. He sees the group as ‘underrated,’ but ready.
“Our room is going to be something special,” Bernard said. “We are going to show a lot of people what we can do.”
Alabama has names such as Kobe Prentice, Kendrick Law, Emmanuel Henderson, Cole Adams, Jaren Hamilton, and Jalen Hale (knee) that have invested time in the culture. Caleb Odom and Aeryn “Bubba” Hampton were impressive freshmen in spring practice. Odom, a five-star, moved from tight end to receiver. Hampton possesses really good routes and can be special in the years to come. Tide fans are waiting for Ryan “Hollywood” Williams, Amari Jefferson, and Rico Scott to get on campus in the summer. Bernard played with stars at Washington, but he sees this group at Alabama with potential and wants to lead it.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
