Alabama fans are excited about several wide receivers on the Crimson Tide -- including freshman Ryan Williams -- but there is a second-year player that has gained respect from the coaching staff.

Cole Adams, a redshirt freshman, is putting coaches in the mindset of former Tide standouts, Kevin Norwood and Marquis Maze.

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He was an electric four-star recruit from Oklahoma in the 2023 signing class, but Adams has positioned himself for a possible breakout season in the fall. The 5-foot-10, 186-pounder had a nice showing in the spring game, and his confidence has carried into preseason practice.

JaMarcus Shephard, Alabama's wide receivers coach, complimented Adams with a marquee nickname.

Alabama redshirt freshman WR Cole Adams has earned a nickname heading into his second season:

“He’s Mr. Reliable,” Alabama WRs coach JaMarcus Shephard on Adams.@TDAlabamaMag @TouchdownETP pic.twitter.com/DnRzfcqtNy

— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) August 3, 2024

"Mr. Reliable," Shephard said Saturday about Adams.

"We can rely on him in everything we do. He knows what to do, when to do it, he has very consistent hands, and he is a tough son of a gun. He is going to throw his entire body in there, and he's not a big dude, but he is going to throw everything he's got in there. I appreciate that from him because he plays the game the way it is supposed to be played. He has respect for the game."

Adams is showing some Norwood, Maze, Slade Bolden, Richard Mullaney, and Gehrig Dieter with the statement from Shephard.

He can make tough catches in traffic, execute clean routes, and block for teammates.

Adams is doing everything he can to earn playing time in this rotation. He is beginning to rise in the room, and his efforts are getting noticed.

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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.