In the Fox Nation documentary, The Tides that Bind, Alabama Football wide receiver coach, JaMarcus Shephard had some harsh words for his receiver room. It could be said that Shephard called out their manhood; not in terms of physical strength and courage, but in maturity. Except for Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams, Shephard challenged his other players to discard the "weak s***" that hindered their performance during the 2024 season.
Shephard was more than direct. He was brutally honest and demanded a turnaround. "I’m tired of sugar coating s*** for people in this room anymore ... It’s a tell-tale sign that’s how it is. I’m sick of this s***. The ball goes in the air, we’ve got to want it. Everybody wanna be cute. All these weak-a** haircuts y’all got. S*** all pristine and s***. Ain’t nobody got no dog in them.”
The 'no dog' assessment must have cut to the core of the Alabama Crimson Tide players. It is the same as saying they had no fight or heart and were essentially of little or no value as football players. One of the 'boys', Ryan Williams, was an exception last season. Shephard credited Williams and one of the Crimson Tide's most mature players, Germie Bernard, with more focus, evidenced by the pair being the only players taking notes during the position group meeting.
In December Kalen DeBoer praised the wide receiver group for being unselfish. In the 2024 regular season, Alabama Football wideouts caught 134 passes. Bernard and Williams combined for 98 of the receptions. For others targets were limited.
Did Alabama Football have a 'culture problem'?
Perhaps DeBoer was trying to stem the flow of exiting wideouts. If so, he did so subtly and avoided assigning any blame to Jalen Milroe. There has been more recent chatter from Alabama football insiders that many of the Tide's wideouts were quite frustrated last season. Six Crimson Tide wide receivers hit the Transfer Portal. Insiders say the position group was frustrated and lacked focus, and some players were a distraction. That perspective appears to mirror the problems that motivated JaMarcus Shephard to challenge his players.
Shephard is determined that all his guys will 'man up' in the 2025 season. Despite the transfer exits, the Crimson Tide wide receiver room has plenty of talent. The healthy duo of Jalen Hale and Cole Adams could have big seasons. Miami transfer Isaiah Horton and redshirt freshman Rico Scott are expected to round out a six-man rotation at wideout. Along with Williams and Bernard, the group of six should have plenty of 'dog' in them.