Who will lead Alabama’s wide receiver room in 2026?

The Alabama Crimson Tide’s offseason is now in full swing, and it has included a nice transfer portal haul, intense recruiting and a star-studded junior day, but spring practices for first looks at new transfers and freshmen are still looming.

But with the departure of some notable wide receivers, one of the Tide’s biggest questions concerning the roster now relates to who might lead the receiver room next season. Will it be Ryan Williams, Lotzeir Brooks or someone else?

Returning wide receivers for the Crimson Tide include Williams, Brooks, Rico Scott, Derek Meadows and MJ Chirgwin. Chirgwin, a walk-on, recorded two receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown last season, which led to the staff offering him a scholarship.

That’s not all the Tide will have to offer next season, though. Alabama managed to land Noah Rogers, a transfer from North Carolina State, out of the transfer portal. It will also be bringing in Cedarian Morgan, MJ Mathis and Auburey Walker from the high school ranks. Morgan was the best addition of the three as a four-star, with the other two rated as three-stars.

Alabama’s leading receiver last year was Germie Bernard with 862 yards, but he’s now bound for the NFL. Meanwhile, the Tide’s third-leading receiver, Isaiah Horton, entered the transfer portal and will now play for Texas A&M next season. Other portal exits for the Crimson Tide also include Jaylen Mbakwe, Cole Adams, Jalen Hale and Bubba Hampton.

Considering these meaningful departures, Alabama will now have to have somebody else step up and take charge of the wide receiver room, and Williams might be the easiest name to suggest as the answer to the issue.

Williams had a standout freshman season in 2024, arguably solidifying himself as one of the best receivers in the country with an impressive game-winning performance against No. 3 Georgia. However, he somewhat regressed during his sophomore year.

After hauling in 48 receptions for 865 yards during the 2024 campaign, he only managed to bring in 49 balls for 689 yards this past season. One major issue in his step back was the consistent problem he had with dropping passes.

Alabama fans may remember the Tide’s game against Georgia in Athens this past season, when Williams was open deep downfield, and quarterback Ty Simpson delivered a perfect ball, but Williams was unable to bring it in.

Dropped balls became an ongoing issue for the receiver this past year. But the thing is, everybody knows he has the talent; he just needs to put the work in. If Williams can improve and get back to, or even outperform, his freshman year, then he could make the case as the best wideout in the country. However, he’ll have to put the work in over the offseason for that to happen.

On the other hand, Brooks could definitely be the one to lead the receivers next season as well. With 32 receptions, 441 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman in a talented receiver room, Brooks still made a name for himself this past year.

At 5-feet-9, 191 pounds, the former four-star showed off just how fast and shifty he is, along with how great his hands are. Brooks made plenty of meaningful plays for the Tide last season and finished as Alabama’s fourth-leading receiver. If Brooks can improve on his already impressive speed and ability to haul the ball in, he could easily be the Tide’s best receiver in 2026.

One of the most interesting players to watch may be Rogers, though. The former Walfpack wideout was originally a four-star out of high school and committed to Ohio State, but transferred back home to in-state NC State after a season in Columbus.

Once in Raleigh, Rogers managed to reel in 35 catches for 478 yards, third-best on the team. During his redshirt-freshman campaign, he showcased his ability to do it all, making contested catches and outrunning defenders.

Crimson Tide fans could think of Rogers almost as a replacement for Bernard; Rogers is one inch taller and one inch heavier, and he also wore No. 5 last season, just like Bernard did. But they’re also fairly similar in terms of play-style as well; Rogers has the speed to break away from defenders, but his crisp route-running, ability to get open and great hands are what set him apart.

Still, though, players like Meadows and Morgan have all the opportunities they need to make a name for themselves. Meadows, a big, lengthy receiver, could easily become one of the best receivers on the team if he puts the work in. The same also goes for Morgan, who’s dangerously speedy like Williams, but a bit bigger, weight-wise.

With new wide receiver coach Derrick Nix ready to get to work and improve on the year before with a new group of young and talented receivers, it will be interesting to see who steps up and leads the Tide through its 2026 campaign.