Alabama raves about freshman wide receiver after first collegiate start

Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama running back Richard Young (9) blocks for wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks (17) during the game with UL Monroe at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Ryan Williams suffered a concussion against Florida State last week, and he was not cleared to play in Alabama’s home opener against ULM, leaving Alabama with a decision to make in terms of which wide receiver was going to start in the slot.

True freshman Lotzeir Brooks got the nod from the Crimson Tide coaching staff, and he had a great showing against the Warhawks, catching four passes for 58 yards and making some important blocks to help create running room for his teammates.

Kalen DeBoer talked about what he saw from Brooks last week and why he ultimately put Brooks in the starting role Saturday night.

“With Lotzeir, I loved what I saw,” DeBoer said after the game. “Maybe it wasn’t offensive snaps, but on kickoff, there were some things that he was doing, and then, he’s had, again, buildup much like a lot of the younger guys… He’s done a good job of elevating, elevating, elevating his game and understanding what it takes. We saw it last week on the football field. Had his way of making an impact on some kickoffs. You could see there is a violence that he has.”

DeBoer listed the specific things he liked from Brooks in Alabama’s 73-0 victory over ULM and what he’s seen from the freshman receiver in practice.

“He got his opportunities,” DeBoer said. “I really like the third down catch in their territory, going up and getting it. I think that’s something he does really well. I’ve seen that quite a bit in practice. He plays bigger than he is and got good catch radius. Guys have a lot of confidence going to him. I thought the bubble screen, you know, and there’s details that I liked as well with ball security. I thought he was very intentional on taking care of the football. So, a good step for him with this game and the experience he got today.”

Brooks is listed at 5-foot-9 and 191 pounds, but like DeBoer said, he can block just as effectively as a receiver that’s larger than him, and that showed against ULM.

Simpson told members of the media what he likes about Brooks and how well he fits into the offensive equation after the game.

“I like him a lot man,” Simpson said. “He’s an elusive player. He’s fast, physical, and he puts his nose in the box when he has a block man. He’s very selfless and everything. Guys like him play a long time in the league and help us in a lot of different ways. One, for him to step up as a freshman is huge, but two, after he came in, not only in the spring but in the summer, everything he’s done man has been very, very, very impressive, and I’m proud of him.”

Brooks was a four-star wide receiver coming out of Millville High School in New Jersey, and he finished his four-year varsity football career with over 4,600 receiving yards and 67 touchdowns. Now, he’s making some noise at Alabama in his freshman season.

Next up for Alabama is a home game against Wisconsin, and regardless of if Williams is cleared to play or not, Brooks could get a good bit of playing time next Saturday.

GET THE BEST ALABAMA FOOTBALL INSIDER INFORMATION, MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, AND RECRUITING COVERAGE TODAY! SIGN UP HERE TO UNLOCK OUR SUBSCRIBER ONLY CONTENT!