Kalen DeBoer believes Alabama's WR unit is 'capable' of being the best in the country

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Wide receiver was one of the units on Alabama’s roster that experienced a significant amount of turnover from a season ago.

The Crimson Tide lost six receivers to the transfer portal in the offseason, the most of any position group on the team. With that came an influx of talent including one transfer, two freshmen, two players back from injury, and one player switching positions from defensive back.

It’s a competitive unit, and head coach Kalen DeBoer has noticed that. During his Monday press conference at the conclusion of spring camp, he praised the mindset the unit is taking on in their efforts to be the best.

“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. It’s to be the best receiving corps in the country,” DeBoer said. “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.”

The room brings back its two most productive players from a year ago: Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard. The two combined for 98 catches, over 1,600 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns through the air. That accounted for well over 50 percent of Alabama’s production in the passing game a year ago, and now they’re joined by a host of other talent that can contribute alongside them.

“You’ve got some experienced guys coming back. You’ve got Isaiah (Horton) in. I thought Rico Scott had a really nice spring. We expected that. Internally, we expected and we could see that happening throughout the fall and in December. You could go on and on,” DeBoer said. “I really like our freshmen that came in as well. Derek (Meadows) and Lotzeir (Brooks). Really think we nailed it with incoming freshmen that way. They’re freshmen. That’s what we’ve got to remember. So there’s some growth that they’ve got to experience, much like we’re talking about at quarterback and these tackles and so forth. Then you can go into the (Jaylen) Mbakwe‘s and the guys that made that transition. And Jalen Hale coming back. Go on down the line. They all are just out there competing.”

The unit has just about every size and shape you could ask for. It’s got speed both on the outside and in the slot. It’s got size to go up and get jump balls. It’s got route-running and sure hands. Just about any look Alabama wants to give a defense, it’s got the weapons to utilize, including creating the mismatches that DeBoer wants to hunt.

“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. You don’t know where so and so is going to line up,” DeBoer said. “That might not just be the receivers. 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.”

Isaiah Horton and Rico Scott earn praise

Plenty of Tide receivers have done good things throughout the spring, but two players earned specific praises from the staff on Monday: Horton and Scott.

Horton transferred in from Miami after posting over 600 yards and five touchdowns for the Hurricanes last season. He’s experienced, entering his junior year, and at 6-foot-4 could be a serious outside threat next to Williams and Bernard with the first unit.

“I had high expectations for him coming in as far as who he would be, and he has definitely not let us down or me down for sure. He’s come in. The thing I love about Isaiah is the way he handled it. He’s a guy you want ingrain, get yourself in there. He went about his work,” DeBoer said. “Guys I see here that come in and just do the work, they develop a respect among the team quicker than not, because that’s what our guys care about. Who’s going to come in, who really wants to be part of this culture? Who’s willing to work? He has done that, and now all of a sudden you see him, because he is a productive guy, he does have that ability. It’s well rounded.

“It’s not just a red zone thing. That presence about him is something I really think is something we recognize, his teammates recognize and have really grown a high level of respect. He’s got that body type. He caught some balls for Jalen at pro day. He was showing out in a lot of different ways for some of us who had seen him in a couple practices. Guys who can catch inbreaking routes coming in full speed and not break stride, that’s something that I’m thinking is just one indicator of how smooth and talented you are. He’s really fit in well. He’s got a great personality. Great teammate.”

Scott was a true freshman last season and saw an increased role in the Tide’s bowl game with the position thinned by injuries and portal exits. He caught just five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown in his first collegiate season, but has made a number of really nice plays throughout the spring, including in front of fans at A-Day this weekend.

“First thing that stood out to me was his instinct about his game,” offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said. “Very intelligent. Can play on outside or in the slot and will have a role. Can wind in all three spots. Everywhere I’ve been where guys that are able to get in different spots and we do a good job with our offense in moving people around. People know where Ryan Williams is every play. For Rico to be able create that versatility is really great for him.”

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