What Ryan Grubb said about WR corps led by Germie Bernard, Ryan Williams
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb knows a thing or two about elite wide receivers. In each of his two years as the play-caller in Seattle, Washington produced two 1,000-yard receivers. While the Crimson Tide hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2021, Grubb likes the 10-player group he’ll work with in his first year at Alabama.
“Man, that is a talented room, and we’re excited,” Grubb said on Wednesday.
The Crimson Tide’s receiving corps will look a lot different in Year 2 of Kalen DeBoer’s tenure. Six receivers entered the transfer portal either during or after the 2024 campaign, and Alabama brought in three new guys – Isaiah Horton, Lotzeir Brooks and Derek Meadows.
Returning for UA are seven wideouts from last year’s team. Cole Adams and Jalen Hale are back after missing time due to injury a season ago and should be heavily involved in the wide receiver rotation. Rico Scott, Jaylen Mbakwe and Bubba Hampton are entering their second years at Alabama, and Scott and Mbakwe should push for playing time.
But the good news for the Crimson Tide is its top two receivers from the 2024 squad are back. Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams combined to catch 98 passes for 1,659 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Grubb is familiar with Bernard, who he coached at Washington in 2023. Bernard was the Huskies’ fifth-leading receiver before coming to UA.
“I think it was really cool seeing him come in to Washington,” Grubb said. “We obviously had some really good receivers in that room. Germ always prepared with a lot of humility. He was gonna be ready to play the game no matter what his role was, and he’s gonna maximize his opportunities.
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“So now, seeing him in a little bit different light where he’s the guy at the front of the room and everybody’s looking to him is really cool. Just a classy guy, always has been. He’s got the right mindset.”
Bernard will lead Alabama’s 2025 receiving corps, but he’ll have some help from Williams.
The rising sophomore started all 13 games as a true freshman and finished fourth in the SEC in receiving touchdowns (8). Williams also led the SEC in receiving plays of 40-plus yards (7). The duo gives the Tide a talented tandem for Grubb’s first season of calling the plays.
But newsflash: Williams will be just 18 years old this fall. He still has plenty of room for growth as he enters his second year of college, and Grubb is looking forward to working with him.
“I think for some of the contested catches, he can separate so well already,” Grubb said. “But you can already see the guy sitting in the front row at every meeting. He’s just a sponge. He wants to get better, he’s asking questions. I think that he will. The versatility on how you can use Ryan inside and outside is something that makes him a unique player.”
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