Wide receivers have been special at the University of Alabama during Nick Saban’s coaching tenure.
It did not matter if Saban recruited them as high schoolers or if they came from the NCAA transfer portal, receivers thrived at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Crimson Tide. Alabama fans saw the success of Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, John Metchie, and Slade Bolden as freshmen that came in, earned playing time, and developed as reliable targets. People also saw transfers such as Richard Mullaney, Gehrig Dieter, Jameson Williams, and Jermaine Burton come from other programs and be impactful for the Tide. Mullaney came from Oregon State to assist Alabama to a national championship in 2015.
Dieter, Williams, and Burton all helped the Tide to Southeastern Conference Championships in arriving from other schools. Alabama has been a safe haven for transfer receivers, but will the trend continue?
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Germie Bernard is excited to carry on the torch for transfer receivers that choose the Tide.
The Las Vegas (Nev.) native spent time at Michigan State and Washington before selecting to commit to Alabama. He aided the Huskies to a Pac-12 Championship and a College Football Playoff National Championship Game appearance last season, totaling 34 catches for 419 yards and three touchdowns. Bernard reunited with Kalen DeBoer, Nick Sheridan, and JaMarcus Shephard at Alabama and turned in a good A-Day performance.
He led all receivers with 122 yards on three catches, showing chemistry with Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. The 6-foot-1, 203-pounder is a good route runner with reliable hands, speed, and blocking abilities.
Bernard can play in the slot or on the outside. Jalen Hale’s injury in spring practice forces Bernard to emerge and help Kobe Prentice.
Both have the most production and experience in college football in the receiver room. Alabama has talented players such as Kendrick Law, Emmanuel Henderson, Cole Adams, and Jaren Hamilton, but it brought in Bernard for a reason.
It also signed freshmen like Caleb Odom, Ryan Williams, Aeryn “Bubba” Hampton, Rico Scott, and Amari Jefferson; however, Bernard knows the system of DeBoer. He should keep the trend going with transfer receivers having success for the Tide.
Bernard is a plug and play weapon that will be fun to watch.
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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.
