During the offseason, Alabama hired Ryan Grubb to be its next offensive coordinator.
Grubb’s last college stop prior to arriving in Tuscaloosa was at Washington where he served as the Huskies play-caller in 2022 and 2023.
Several players on Alabama’s current roster actually played for Grubb at Washington. The continuity between those players and Grubb could certainly pay dividends for the Crimson Tide during the 2025 season.
The four Washington transfers that are on Alabama’s roster are center Parker Brailsford, tight end Josh Cuevas, quarterback Austin Mack, and wide receiver Germie Bernard.
Bernard, Cuevas, and Brailsford are each expected to be starters for Alabama in 2025. Grubb had built relationships with each of those players prior to becoming Alabama’s offensive coordinator.
In 2023, Grubb led the Huskies offense to the national title game against Michigan. Each of the four Washington transfers were a part of that roster. The fact that each of them experienced a playoff run and did so under the direction of Grubb could be very beneficial for each of them as they set their sights on reaching the College Football Playoff at Alabama in 2025.
Grubb has a history of coaching some of the more explosive offenses in college football over the years. Following the 2023 season, Washington had seven offensive players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Interestingly enough, each of them played quarterback, wide receiver, tight end or along the offensive line. Each of which fit the profile for the four Washington transfers on Alabama’s 2025 roster.
Bernard had the opportunity to sit behind three wide receivers that were drafted in the first four rounds. In addition, he was a valuable asset for the Huskies offense adding 419 receiving yards and two touchdowns. During his junior season, Alabama fans were able to see a glimpse of Bernard’s potential in Tuscaloosa.
Brailsford started all 15 games for Washington during the 2023 season. He was a part of a Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line unit. Brailsford was able to make calls at the line of scrimmage and gain valuable experience as a redshirt freshman.
Cuevas added to an experienced and talented tight end room that consisted of Devin Culp and Jake Westover. Both of which are on NFL rosters now. Ultimately, Cuevas was viewed as the third tight end on the roster. He reeled in four receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown.
Mack chose to early enroll and sign with the Huskies in the 2023 recruiting class. As a result, he was able to learn the terminology and nuances of the offense while being developed by Grubb in his lone season at Washington.
Also, Mack was able to sit behind first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. The California native was able to learn from Penix Jr. and what it takes to succeed at a high level in a Grubb-led offense.
Alabama’s offense has a lot of firepower, and Grubb will look to curate the gameplan to each player’s strengths. That is something that he has excelled at in the past. The fact that he came in this spring, went through spring practices, and will be present for fall camp should only be beneficial for the Crimson Tide in 2025.
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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
