Alabama’s wide receiver room has not produced marquee numbers since 2021.
Jameson Williams and John Metchie had 1,000-plus receiving yards for a team that captured a Southeastern Conference Championship over Georgia and made it to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Cameron Latu and Slade Bolden had over 400 yards receiving, and six players caught at least 20 passes. Williams transferred in from Ohio State that year and needed one season to show he was a first-round NFL Draft pick. He led the Crimson Tide in touchdown catches with 15.
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The trio of DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and John Metchie made Alabama’s receiver room good in 2020. They assisted the Tide to a CFP National Championship and Smith became the first receiver in school history to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy. People look at this group of receivers as unproven, but it does not mean they cannot get the job done. The receivers for Alabama in the fall could be a very explosive unit. Kobe Prentice is back as the leader of the room and former Tide receiver, Mike McCoy, said he is back to his freshman hunger. Prentice has 49 catches for 651 yards and four touchdowns across two years.
Germie Bernard, a transfer from Washington, will be a factor as a starter.
He had 34 catches for 419 yards and two touchdowns on a team that won a Pac-12 Championship and nearly won a CFP National Championship in 2023. Bernard enrolled early for spring practice and led the Tide’s receiver room for yards (122) on three receptions in the spring game. He knows the offensive system of Kalen DeBoer, Nick Sheridan, and JaMarcus Shephard and teaches it to the rest of the room. Bernard can play in the slot, on the perimeter, and he may be a weapon on special teams.
Kendrick Law is a utility knife that needs the football.
He can do it all offensively; however, he has not been put in a position to unleash his full skill set.
Coach Shephard is prepared to have Law in situations where he can be dominant on the field. Emmanuel Henderson, Cole Adams, Jalen Hale, Jaren Hamilton are four others that have been in the program for a least a year and know what to do.
They are missing the chance to prove themselves on the field, yet they will get it in the fall. Alabama also has talented freshmen such as Caleb Odom, Ryan Williams, Aeryn “Bubba” Hampton, Amari Jefferson, and Rico Scott that look to have an impact.
Alabama is deep at receiver and the expectation is for these guys to go off in the passing game.
DeBoer’s offense could have four 1,000-plus yard receivers if everything lines up right.
The unit believes in being takers and wanting the football. Alabama’s receiver room should be a major strength.
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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.
