Alabama now one step closer in trying to steal Cam Coleman from other suitors

If I had proposed to you the idea of potentially having Ryan Williams and Cam Coleman in the same offense last January, the average college football fan probably wouldn't believe me. This January, though, that stance might just change after seeing Alabama become serious contenders to pry the ex-Auburn star wide receiver away from other suitors in the Transfer Portal.

This once pipe dream became a realistic possibility when Alabama officially announced the hiring of ex-Auburn offensive coordinator Derrick Nix as the Crimson Tide's new receivers coach on Wednesday. Some feel this move could be what jumpstarts the 6-foot-3, 205 pound receivers engine to make the trip down to Tuscaloosa. He is currently expected to visit Alabama on Friday.

Coleman's expected date with Alabama comes after being wined and dined by other powerhouse programs like Texas, Texas A&M, and Tech Tech, among others, over the past week and a half. After all that waiting, the Tide feels even more confident about being Coleman's potential last visit.

The addition of Derrick Nix to the coaching staff is a huge boost for Alabama's pursuit of Cam Coleman

Alabama's main source of growing confidence also comes from Nix, who helped put him in a position to snag 93 receptions for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns over the first two seasons of his college career. Many Tide fans think this will play a huge factor in Coleman's big decision, and truthfully, it should. I say this because of Nix and the large track record of his continued development to coach WRs to their highest highs and propel them to the NFL.

If you don't believe me, just look at the helping hand Nix has played during his 18-year tenure in Oxford, helping develop NFL standouts like AJ Brown and DK Metcalf. Under Nix, Brown and Metcalf formed one of college football's best WR duos in 2018 before both becoming prominent NFL stars. Together, Brown and Metcalf reeled in a combined 111 receptions for 1,889 yards and 11 touchdowns. This production catapulted both receivers to high second-round picks, with Brown being taken No. 51 overall to the Tennessee Titans and Metcalf taken not too far behind by the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 64 pick, and the rest being history.

With the potential for Coleman and Williams to do even better, in terms of production and stock, this is why I feel Nix's presence will play a big factor when Coleman officially touches down in Tuscaloosa tomorrow. Yes, Coleman and Alabama's bottom line may come down to the amount of zeros Tide football GM Courtney Morgan may have to spend, but once again, the fact that the Nix and the Crimson Tide will get the last word has the potential to swing this in its final stages. With all of Tuscaloosa ready to roll out the red carpet for Coleman tomorrow, it'll be interesting to see if Kalen DeBoer and company have what it takes to seal the deal. If so, then Alabama's offense just got a lot more dangerous in 2026.