How transfer wide receiver is impacting the Alabama offense without having the ball

Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton (1) makes a move after catching a pass in front of Wisconsin defensive back Ricardo Hallman (2) at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Isaiah Horton is the latest Alabama wide receiver to get in a groove and find his footing in the Tide’s offensive system.

Since his single-reception performance against Florida State, Horton has continued to elevate his production each game. Against ULM, the Miami transfer caught three passes for 51 yards and a touchdown, and he surpassed those numbers last Saturday when he hauled in five passes for 48 yards and an impressive touchdown grab.

Horton got his name called over the speakers a couple of times in Alabama football’s 38-14 victory over Wisconsin, but he’s been doing the things that don’t often garner recognition from people outside of the program, and that is why head coach Kalen DeBoer is elated with Horton three weeks into the season.

“Every week, he’s building a better and better rapport with Ty and just our offensive system,” DeBoer said on Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference Call. “Understanding where to be and when to be there. Quarterback friendly. Knows that the ball will find him if he continues to run his routes the way he’s supposed to and all that. Thought he had a good solid week last week again. Love how he’s jelled with the receiving core. They really play of each other, and early in the game, he did some things to help our team. He may not be the one that got targeted. He may not of been the one carrying the ball, but he was blocking down the field. He was running his routes hard. Then, as the game goes on, he ends up finding the ball in his hands too and making a nice touchdown catch in particular. So, just really pleased with the mindset that he has. I think he’s really understood the last couple of weeks what we’re looking for and how we need to do it.”

Coming into this season, Alabama needed another wide receiver to step up after only having two serious receiving threats last season, and Horton is panning out to be exactly the player the Tide offense needed. He has great size, standing at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, and he excels at high-pointing football at the top of a route as well as blocking down the field.

When the Tide rolls into Athens next Saturday, Alabama will likely need Horton to have a performance similar to DeBoer’s description in order to steal a win against Georgia.