Kalen DeBoer is Optimistic About the Wide Receiver Corps

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer joined Ryan Fowler on "The Game" Thursday evening for a candid look into the Crimson Tide's evolving 2025-26 roster - and he didn't hold back his excitement for one of the team's most dynamic position groups: the wide receivers.

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"Yeah it has," said DeBoer when asked if the receiver room has upgraded. "It's been fun seeing that group. It's going to be really great when we get to the fall and they're working with the same guy. Obviously, it's well known that we're rotating quarterbacks and all of that, so you get that along with some continuity - along with some tight ends - and when you've got five skilled guys around a quarterback, they're all feeding off each other and it's all in sync."

That energy DeBoer emphasized is still developing - but the foundation is strong. "I still think there's a long way to go for that group," said DeBoer. "They're doing a good job and because of the work ethic and just their mindset they're going to accomplish some great things. I have no doubt about it."

The current wide receiver room has garnered lots of attention and praise. The Crimson Tide's 2025-26 receiver corps reads like a cheat code: Germie Bernard (Sr.), Isaiah Horton (R-Jr.), Jalen Halen (R-So.), Cole Adams (R-So.), Ryan Williams (So.), Jaylen Mbakwe (So.), Rico Scott (R-Fr.), Bubba Hampton (R-Fr.), Derek Meadows (Fr.), and Lotzeir Brooks (Fr.).

With youth, speed, height, strength, blocking ability, experience, and the ability to stretch the field, the question becomes: how do you manage touches and reps for a room this deep?

"You can easily make it work with five," said DeBoer. "I think you can even get up to six."

DeBoer seemed very optimistic and confident on a system that can thrive on adaptability - both in formation and personnel usage. "We do a good job, I think, with personnel packages and making sure guys feel like there's a role for them. A certain personnel package might not look that much different as far as the formations, but who's out there on the football field, and what spot they're in. We can do that very subtly and easily within our system."

With the talent this corps possess, it brings a new competition from a defensive standpoint. Rotating several guys in will be able to keep defenses guessing while keeping playmakers involved. "All of a sudden it's a whole new picture from the defensive standpoint and gives guys a role. I think in the end, you're going to probably have three to four guys that kind of dominate as far as the number of catches and touches and things like that. I think there's easily a chance where you can rotate five to six guys in and feel like they're all getting a pretty good four share at it," said DeBoer.

Fans can see this receiver corps during a practice session on April 12, beginning at 12:00 p.m. In the meantime, as the Crimson Tide continues to prepare for the upcoming season, DeBoer has a clear vision, a loaded arsenal of receivers, and a system built to maximize every ounce of talent.

Want to read more about this exclusive interview? Check out these stories!

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