From Julio Jones in 2008 to Jameson Williams in 2021, Alabama had a spectacular run of wide receivers coming out of Tuscaloosa on their way to becoming 1st round NFL draft picks. Since 2022, though, the position group has had some struggles. 2022 and 2023 in particular, the group as a whole was a often a detriment to the team, and not a positive. Since Kalen DeBoer arrived in 2024, things have been trending up, but the Tide hasn’t *yet* landed a new 1st round pick, nor has any receiver eclipsed 1000 yards.
Can 2026 be the year those things change?
DepartedGermie Bernard was a highly dependable player for the Tide the last two seasons after transferring in from Washington with Coach DeBoer. While he was never a star, he was reliably the Tide’s top receiver the last two seasons, and he turned that into a 2nd round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Isaiah Horton was a one year rental after transferring in from Miami, and then transferred again to Texas A&M. Serial transferrer, it seems. He was ok but didn’t make too much impact as a starter last year.
Cole Adams, Jaylen Mbakwe, and Bubba Hampton all decided to transfer, ostensibly over a lack of playing time. I’ll never understand why Mbakwe gave up his role as a rotational piece as a freshman defensive back to start over and be buried as a 3rd string receiver – and then transfer.
Veteran Jalen Hale has also transferred, and best of luck to him after making it back from that devastating leg injury.
The Returning Stars#1 – Ryan Coleman-Williams (Jr) 6’0” 184
Once the star of all of college football back in 2025, Coleman-Williams had something of a letdown season as a sophomore last year. For one, he struggled with drops – a lot of them. But he also was playing a lot of slot receiver, which he didn’t do as much of the year before, and that, combined with Ty Simpson’s general lack of a deep ball, took away some of Ryan’s vertical threat.
By all accounts, he’s been back to looking like the best player on the roster this fall, and all of the coaches have been raving about his work ethic and leadership. So here’s to hoping he pulls a Julio Jones year 3 and fixes the drops on his way to ascending to superstardom.
#3 – Lotzeir Brooks (So) 5’9” 197
Brooks was one of those guys that was rated fairly lowly as a recruit, but burst onto the scene for Alabama as a freshman with 32 catches for 441 yards. He had some of the most clutch plays on the team last season with his 4th down conversion vs Missouri and his whirling touchdown vs Oklahoma in the playoffs.
Brooks has missed some time the last few weeks with an injury, but the coaches have made it sound like he should be ready to go for the season opener.
Returning Depth#30 – Derek Meadows (So) 6’5” 212
Meadows was starting to crack into the rotation early last season as a true fresham, particularly as a blocker on screen plays, until a nasty hit vs Missouri gave him a concussion, and he fell down the depth chart after missing some time. At 6’5”, he brings a different skill set than most of the other receivers on the roster, and is one of the main contenders to be a starter in 2026.
#7 – Rico Scott (RSo) 6’0” 203
Scott actually started the season opener for Alabama last year. He had been talked about quite a bit leading up to the 2025 season, and is known for having the fasted GPS time on the team. He wound up falling out of the rotation early on, though, mostly in favor of Brooks and Meadows. This year, he’s back in the competition to win that 3rd WR job.
Sick Report#5 – Noah Rogers (RJr) 6’2” 206
A former 5-star recruit for Ohio State that transferred to Louisville and had decent, if unspectacular numbers the past two seasons despite being on a horrific offense, Rogers is a highly athletic deep threat that Alabama brought in as a veteran bolstering to the group. Unfortunately, he suffered a severe knee injury in the spring. Most of us assumed he would be out for the entire 2026 season, but the coaches have made it sound like he may make it back sometime during the season.
Newcomers#8 – Cederian Morgan (Fr) 6’4” 222
Talk about a 5-star freshman with an absurd athletic profile that is somehow flying under the radar. Morgan showed out during the A-Day game, and Ryan Coleman-Williams has even told the media they call Morgan the “Gulf of Mexico” because he catches everything anywhere near him. He may not be a day 1 starter, but definitely expect him to be a part of the main rotation this season for the Tide.
#14 – Tyler Henderson (Jr) 6’1” 177
Henderson is a JUCO transfer who brings impressive speed and grittiness to the position group. He was never brought in to be a starter, but he also isn’t a player who is just going to languish on the back end of the depth chart. Henderson will get some snaps this fall, and don’t be surprised if he has more big-time moments than most expect.
#26 – Aubrey Walker (Fr) 5’10” 170
#24 – Amari Sabb (Fr) 5’9” 180
#21 – Maurice Mathis (Fr) 6’1” 198
The trio of freshmen were all fairly low rated recruits who likely are at the bottom of the totem pole as far as NIL money. They’ll round out the depth of the position group this season. Sabb and Walker could be special teamers for their speed, while I do think that Mathis has a route-running savvy that may lend to him getting a real look as a WR in a year or two.
Predicted Depth ChartRyan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks are locks to be starters, with Brooks as the slot receiver. The big battle is for the other outside spot opposite of Coleman-Williams. I think that Derek Meadows winds up getting the game 1 start, however, I fully expect that we see a near perfect 33% split between him, Morgan, and Scott. Then as things get put on tape, I’d expect that Morgan and Meadows wind up with close to a 50/50 split for the season as Scott loses out on snaps. Meanwhile, Tyler Henderson will be WR6 to round out the two-deep.
What will really throw a monkey wrench in things is what happens if/when Noah Rogers gets back from injury. He was originally fully expected to be the starter, but breaking your way in after missing all that time (and coming off a bum knee) is going to be crazy tough, especially if Morgan or Meadows is really starting to stand out.
Leave a Comment