Fall camp for the University of Alabama football team starts on Wednesday, July 31, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The athletes are scheduled to report to camp on Tuesday, July 30, as Kalen DeBoer and his coaching staff looks to produce a national champion in this team. In this series, leading into the first practice, the staff at Touchdown Alabama Magazine will break down starting jobs that are up for grabs.
RELATED: Who wins the starting tight end role for Alabama this season?
Competition will be marquee in practice, and DeBoer is only putting the best on the field.
We have looked at right tackle, left tackle, cornerback, Husky, and tight end, but now we turn our attention to who could emerge as Alabama’s primary No. 1 wide receiver for the upcoming season.
The Field
Alabama football is in a unique situation at the wide receiver position.
It does not have a proven commodity at receiver, regardless of the talent on its roster. JaMarcus Shephard, the Crimson Tide’s receivers coach, has a chance to develop a room that looks to be highly explosive. Any of these players could become the No. 1 target for Jalen Milroe at quarterback. Kobe Prentice, a junior, enters his third season with experience. He has 49 receptions for 651 yards and four touchdowns across two years. Names such as Kendrick Law, Emmanuel Henderson, Cole Adams, and Jaren Hamilton all have at least a year in the system, but have not gotten an opportunity to showcase what they bring.
Germie Bernard, a transfer from Washington, had a very good spring game. He recorded three catches for 122 yards in his first time in front of Tide fans at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Bernard collected 34 catches for 419 yards receiving and two scores in 2023 for the Huskies, en route to a Pac-12 Championship and berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship matchup.
He has the potential to be a primary weapon.
Alabama also has freshmen such as Ryan Williams, Caleb Odom, Aeryn “Bubba” Hampton, Rico Scott, and Amari Jefferson that will push for playing time. Williams and Odom, both five stars, may start for the Tide, but keep all eyes on Hampton as well. Prentice told reporters in spring practice that the native Texan has some routes on him.
Jalen Hale, a sophomore, is rehabbing from a knee injury. We will have to see when he could make a return.
The talent is certainly there, but the coaching staff has to figure out who will rise as the starter.
Predicted Winner: Kobe Prentice
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
