Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from Wednesday and Thursday, October 22nd and 23rd.
Lotzeir Brooks is doubtful for South Carolina
Alabama had some unfortunate additions to the injury report on Thursday, none more concerning than freshman WR Lotzeir Brooks, who was listed as "doubtful." Brooks has been a revelation in the WR room in his first year in Tuscaloosa, immediately carving out a role despite Alabama's depth and talent at the position.
Brooks has caught 16 passes for 255 yards this season and has been a significant contributor. With his availability in doubt, Alabama will likely turn to redshirt freshman Rico Scott for an increased role. There could be snaps available for Derek Meadows and Cole Adams as well.
TE Danny Lewis Jr. (OUT) and OG Geno VanDeMark (Questionable) were also added to Thursday's report after not being on there on Wednesday.
Keon Sabb calls South Carolina a 'nameless, faceless' opponent
After last season's horrific showings on the road against unranked Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, there's more anxiety among the Alabama fanbase for this weekend's game against South Carolina than any of the last four weeks against ranked opponents.
It sounds like the Crimson Tide has its head on straight heading to Columbia. That is, if veteran safety Keon Sabb is to be believed.
"For us, it's really a nameless, faceless opponent," Sabb said. "Regardless of the opponent or the record, we're going out there to dominate. They're a really good team with really, really good players. We've got to continue to be our best and do our job on the road."
Parker Brailsford gives Germie Bernard a flattering comparison
Alabama center Parker Brailsford has had an up-close view of Germie Bernard for three years now. The two were teammates at Washington before joining Kalen DeBoer in Tuscaloosa. Brailsford has known about Bernard's immense talent before anyone else did. The senior WR was an outstanding addition and immediate contributor for the Crimson Tide a year ago. Under new OC Ryan Grubb, he's seen his role expand even more.
Bernard is one of the most trusted players on the team. Alabama lines him up as a WR, RB, and even as a wildcat QB. His versatility has led Brailsford to make a flattering comparison of his teammate to an NFL star:
“He’s real versatile, like a Swiss Army knife type," Brailsford said. "He can throw ball, he can run the ball, he can get in the backfield and be a running back for us. He’s a great player, kind of like Deebo Samuel in my eyes.”
A Ty Simpson quote that has everyone fired up
There may not be a more popular person in the state of Alabama right now than QB Ty Simpson. The first-year starter has been a revelation for the Crimson Tide. He's instantly become one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and a legitimate contender for the Heisman Trophy and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It's not just his talent on the field, but his leadership and locker room presence off of it. He gave everyone a peek behind the curtain of his mentality - and the mentality of the entire QB room - earlier this week:
"We say in the quarterback room, 'prepare like you've never won, perform like you've never lost,'" Simpson said.