The good news for Alabama football continued with WR Germie Bernard announcing his return to the Crimson Tide for his senior season on Wednesday, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Alabama receiver Germie Bernard, who led the team in catches in 2024, will return to the Crimson Tide in 2025, he told ESPN. Bernard is a Washington transfer who came over with Kalen DeBoer. He finished the year with 50 catches, 794 yards and two touchdowns. pic.twitter.com/DhVmmBHK11
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 8, 2025
Bernard transferred to Alabama from Washington, following Kalen DeBoer from the West Coast to Tuscaloosa. Bernard led the Crimson Tide with 50 receptions and was second behind Ryan Williams in yards with 794.
Bernard was the Crimson Tide's most consistent wide receiver over the second half of the season. He had his most prolific receiving game in Alabama's Iron Bowl win over Auburn by catching seven passes for 111 yards. It was his first and only 100+ yard receiving game in 2024.
Bernard scored two receiving touchdowns on the season, none bigger than his fourth-quarter touchdown against South Carolina that gave Alabama an eight-point lead and ultimately proved to be the difference.
Bernard also scored a rushing touchdown in Alabama's win over Georgia.
Bernard's return solidifies Alabama's WR room. He and Williams will form a dynamic duo at WR. Alabama also added Miami (FL) transfer WR Isaiah Horton and will have Jalen Hale and Cole Adams returning from injury. Jaylen Mbakwe is also transitioning to wide receiver and fellow freshman Rico Scott showed some promise in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Crimson Tide also signed two four-star receivers - Derek Meadows and Lotzeir Brooks - in the 2025 recruiting class.
A deep and talented WR room will be vital as Alabama breaks in a new QB in 2025. Jalen Milroe declared for the NFL Draft so the Crimson Tide will see a three-way QB battle begin in the spring between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and 5-star freshman Keelon Russell.
Whoever wins the job will rely on veteran playmakers as they get comfortable, and Bernard is a very QB friendly receiver. He has soft hands and will go up and make contested catches to help his QB out.
Alabama will be highly talented at the skill positions next season, which will make whoever wins the QB job's life a little bit easier.