Alabama football has one of the deepest and most talented WR rooms in the country as they head into the 2025 season, a fact that is recognized by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club, which released its preseason watchlist for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's top wide receiver.
Returning starters Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard are the two representatives for the Crimson Tide on the watchlist. The talented duo were difficult for defenses to contain last season, and could prove to be even more prolific this season with a deeper group of receivers behind them, making it more difficult for defenses to focus their attention on them.
Williams and Bernard were the only two wide receivers last season for Alabama who eclipsed more than 200 yards receiving. They combined to catch 98 passes for 1659 yards with 10 touchdowns. Williams led the way with 865 yards and eight touchdowns, but down the stretch of the season, it was Bernard who emerged as the focal point of the passing offense as teams gameplanned to stop the freshman phenom.
Williams should be one of the best players in the country this season, and says he has a lot in store for his sophomore season. Despite the highlight reel plays that have played on repeat, the now 18-year-old will look to find more consistency this season.
Bernard had his most prolific season to date in his first year at Alabama after transferring from Washington, and will look to build off of that.
Alabama's depth at WR will help Williams and Bernard thrive
Teams won't be able to focus solely on Williams and Bernard this season. They have legitimate help in 2025, and that will only serve to make them even more lethal.
Joining them is Miami (FL) transfer Isaiah Horton, who projects to start alongside them. Horton produced 616 yards and five touchdowns for the Hurricanes last season.
Redshirt freshman Ricot Scott has emerged as the clear No. 4 in the pecking order. He's pushing for even more playing time than that status would allow him. OC Ryan Grubb raved about Scott's willingness to block, and he produced some eye-opening speed numbers over the summer.
Coming off a devastating injury last spring, Jalen Hale looks to have worked his way back and has taken first-team reps in fall camp. He's likely to slot in as WR5, though there will be others who push for that role, including fellow veteran Cole Adams, sophomore Jaylen Mbakwe, and true freshman Lotzeir Brooks.
Alabama's targets may be a bit too spread out this season to produce a Biletnikoff winner, but Tide fans will settle for having one of, if not the best, WR rooms in college football.