Kalen DeBoer sends a clear message on Alabama's confidence in Germie Bernard

Calling Germie Bernard a wide receiver would be selling short his role for Alabama. He's a true Swiss Army Knife, wearing many different hats and filling whatever role this team needs from him.

Yes, he's a wide receiver. He's also a running back and a wildcat quarterback. He's just a football player, one that Kalen DeBoer, OC Ryan Grubb, and every single Alabama fan have all the faith, trust, and confidence in the world in.

In critical moments, Alabama looks for Bernard to make a play.

They drew up the play for him on Alabama's touchdown pass that cut the lead to two before the game-tying two-point conversion.

And then, with the game tied and Alabama facing a 3rd-and-10 from the 25-yard line and not wanting to settle for a field goal, Bernard took the direct snap in the game's most critical moment. What couldn't happen there was the clock stopping and opening the door for South Carolina to have a chance to go win the game if the field goal was missed.

Knowing how critical the situation was, of course DeBoer and Grubb chose to put the ball in the reliable hands of Bernard. The senior ran the ball around right end, picked up the first down, and ran the rest of the way into the endzone against an indifferent Gamecocks defense that decided their best chance of winning was allowing Bernard to get in the endzone so they could get the football back.

“We got all the trust in the world," DeBoer said about Bernard after the game. "You’ve seen us every week have different things that we do where he’s lined up in a Wildcat and get him out of the backfield, throw him the ball, double pass opportunities. Guys who are disciplined, guys who – the game slows down for them. You give them the opportunities as much as possible in critical moments to go make plays for you.”

Germie Bernard's all around game has been pivotal for Alabama's offense

Outside of Ty Simpson, there hasn't been a more important player to Alabama's offensive success than Bernard. Not only is he the team's leading receiver, he's made a huge difference in the run game. Alabama's backs have consistently struggled to find their footing, and Bernard's change-of-pace ability has proven critical.

He's carried the ball 15 times this year for 94 yards and a couple of touchdowns. He was Alabama's leading rusher a week ago against Tennessee. He's going to continue to get opportunities with the ball in his hands. He makes plays, and more importantly, he makes the right decisions and doesn't put the ball in harm's way.

The staff has a ton of trust in Bernard. Every week, he proves why with clutch plays in big moments. Against South Carolina, facing adversity and with their backs against the wall, Bernard's presence was calming amid the storm.