Alabama has options at slot wide receiver, including Ryan Williams
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama welcomed back Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams, its top two wide receivers from last year’s team, for the 2025 season, but the team needs a third starter.
Miami transfer Isaiah Horton seems like an easy choice for that role, but at 6-foot-4, Horton isn’t likely to spend much time in the slot this fall. Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer said after Tuesday’s spring practice that because of Horton’s size, as well as some of Alabama’s other tall wideouts, Williams can move around and work out of the slot in Year 2.
“One thing in the slot that bringing in like an Isaiah Horton and having more length on the outside now with Jalen Hale, too, has allowed Ryan to move around different spots,” DeBoer said. “Between he and Germie Bernard – and really I think Isaiah could play maybe not the slot all the time – but these guys are very versatile.
“They kind of have their starting points but we can move around, and I think that is really what we like to do because we want to have a very unpredictable offense. And so certain guys in certain spots don’t carry over from week to week, and we can utilize their strength.”
Williams started all 13 games as a true freshman in 2024 and caught 48 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. Regardless of where he lines up, Williams will once again be a key part of Alabama’s offense in DeBoer’s second season. The same applies to Bernard.
But the Crimson Tide has other options, as well. The receiving corps is currently nine players deep, and many of them have different body types and skill sets. One receiver who thrived in the slot a year ago before his injury was Cole Adams. The 5-foot-10 redshirt sophomore is back on the field, albeit easing into things, and can be a go-to target in the slot.
“The slot is definitely his spot he feels the most comfortable,” DeBoer said. “When I talk about quarterback-friendly, he’s that guy that is friendly with the quarterback, in the right place, a heady guy, gonna make the catches that are there for him, be consistent that way. Just working in, kind of building on what he did last fall before he got hurt.”
Another smaller wide receiver on Alabama’s 2025 roster is true freshman Lotzeir Brooks. Listed at 5-foot-9, Brooks has generated some positive buzz in the early goings of spring camp, and he can be another option out of the slot for the Crimson Tide’s offense as a rookie.
“I would say that’s probably his starting point right there,” DeBoer said. “You think right away, ‘Get the ball to him and let him do his thing.’ But he’s really good down the field, too. Has really good body control, can win on defenders down the field, not just in the first couple yards and when he’s got the ball in his hands. So been really impressed with him.”
Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!
Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $11.99! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!
The post Alabama has options at slot wide receiver, including Ryan Williams appeared first on On3.
