Kalen DeBoer: Alabama WR room has mindset to be best in the country

Alabama‘s offense will look a little different in 2025. Head coach Kalen DeBoer is set to name a new starting quarterback by the end of fall camp, and whoever wins the battle will need some help as they adjust to their new role in the offense.

The Crimson Tide are returning its top two receivers from one year ago in Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard. Those two combined for 1,659 yards 10 touchdowns in 2024, and are expected to produce similar numbers this season. Looking past them in lineup, DeBoer is excited with what his receiving corps has to offer this fall.

“They all are just out there competing,” DeBoer said. “I like the mindset that is developing. I say developing because I think it’s something I think we’re capable of, but we’re far from there yet is to be the best receiving corps in the country. That’s not just one or two guys or three. That’s the whole unit. Whoever goes out there, we’re developing more confidence they can get the job done.

“I like the versatility a lot of these guys have, inside to outside. We can move guys around. Much like we’ve been accustomed to over many years.”

Alabama’s depth at wide receiver was bolstered this offseason following the commitments of Isaiah Horton from Miami, as well as incoming freshmen Lotzier Brooks and Derek Meadows. Rico Scott, Jaylen Mbakwe and Jalen Hale are returning from last year’s roster as well. DeBoer sees this depth as something will help the offense maintain a versatile identity.

“You don’t know where so and so is going to line up. That might not just be the receivers,” DeBoer continued. “That might be the tight ends, running backs, they can line up in empty. They can get out in flex. They can be in tight to the box. If you’re a tight end, you can put your hand in the ground. We’ve got a lot of position flexibility, a lot of versatility. The guys are understanding the system. Not just the what and how of what they’re supposed to do and their execution, but also the why.”

Alabama will kick off the 2025 regular season against Florida State during Week 1 in a true road game. They’ll also face the likes of UL Monroe and Wisconsin before beginning SEC play against Georgia on Sept. 20 to cap off a tough four-week stretch for the Crimson Tide to begin the year.