Alabama Receiver Rundown: How Many Could Play Week One?

Three days before the start of the Alabama football season, Kalen DeBoer made his SEC Coaches Teleconference debut on Wednesday. SEC coaches field questions from reporters and provide one final update on the team before the start of game week during the teleconference.

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DeBoer and wide receiver coach JaMarcus Shephard discussed receivers today, in separate media availabilities.

During the SEC Coaches call, DeBoer mentioned the depth in Alabama's wide receiver room, stating that he feels confident in five to seven wide receivers getting snaps and playing time on Saturday against Western Kentucky.

"Six solid ones for sure," DeBoer said.

In a separate media availability, Coach Shephard mentioned his philosophy with receivers when they miss a catch or don't make a play.

"If someone on the field doesn't catch the ball, guys are on the sideline doing up-downs, and they weren't even in the game," Shephard said. "That's just the way I coach."

Who could the five to seven receivers be?

Germie Bernard is the obvious first choice. He followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Alabama and has been one of the bonafide top options for the Crimson Tide's offense throughout the spring and fall practices. Bernard was Alabama's leading receiver during A-Day, hauling in three passes for 122 yards.

Kendrick Law is one of the most veteran wide receivers in this room, entering his third season with the Crimson Tide. Law lined up in multiple spots for Alabama last season, even taking a jet sweep from a tight formation for a touchdown against Auburn before it was called back due to a penalty. He's listed as a wide receiver, but consider Alabama utilizing him like the San Francisco 49ers utilize Deebo Samuel. He can be a versatile weapon that can touch the ball in multiple ways for Alabama, and the Tide will almost certainly use him as more than a pure wide receiver.

Kobe Prentice is the most likely option for Alabama in the slot. Slot receivers are easier to get the ball to due to being closer to the quarterback, so the slot receiver is typically a speedy wide receiver that can create their own space to work after the catch. Prentice has flashed from this position before, most notably a long touchdown against Arkansas last season. He'll get his shot first, as he is also entering his third season in Tuscaloosa.

Outside of the assumed "big three" for Alabama to start the season, who are the other four that could take meaningful snaps against Western Kentucky?

Ryan Williams is another obvious choice. The should-be senior from Saraland, Alabama reclassified to the 2024 recruiting class and signed with the Crimson Tide in February. He didn't get to campus until May, but he's taken the Crimson Tide offense by storm and is expected to contribute meaningfully to Alabama early this season. Even former players like Marquis Maze have their eyes on the talented freshman. Williams has been working with the first-team offense since Alabama's first Fall scrimmage on August 10.

Cole Adams is a receiver that several Crimson Tide fans may not have on their radar yet, but he's got sneaky speed and has been described as "Mr. Reliable" by wide receiver coach JaMarcus Shephard. Adams was a true freshman last season before redshirting, and he recorded two catches for 11 yards. He can be a sneaky weapon for Alabama this season with his sure-fire hands and game-changing speed, and he'll see his opportunities early in 2024.

Emmanuel Henderson Jr. is a player who came to Alabama as a running back before converting to a wide receiver. Like Law and Prentice, he's entering his third season at the Capstone. With most of his work coming on special teams, Henderson was highlighted to be working on consistency during Alabama's fall camp by offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. He can contribute in 2024 while Alabama looks to establish its top wide receiver rotation.

Caleb Odom is a freak of nature physically. Originally recruited as a tight end to Alabama, Odom switched to wide receiver during spring practice. Standing at a staggering 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds, Odom's arm length is another staggering feature of his. Alabama Football highlighted His incredible one-handed catch during Alabama's second scrimmage. The freshman could be used in redzone packages or to find size mismatches against anyone on the defensive side of the ball.

Will one of these receivers step up for Alabama as the true No. 1 option? Or will it be receiver by committee for the Crimson Tide this season? Alabama has not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Jameson Williams and John Metchie III both did it in 2021 en route to an SEC Championship.

Alabama will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Saturday, August 31 at 6:00 p.m. You can listen to the game on the free Tide 100.9 app or Tide 1009.com.

Wyatt Fulton is the TIde 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.