Ryan Williams made his triumphant return this week after missing last week's win over UL Monroe with a concussion. Against Wisconsin on Saturday, Williams produced his most prolific performance in nearly a full calendar year.
On six targets, Williams caught five passes for 165 yards and two electrifying touchdown receptions. It was the first 100-yard receiving game for Williams since the Georgia game last season. Coming off a disappointing performance in the season-opening loss to Florida State, Williams came into this game with a chip on his shoulder. Wisconsin had to bear the full weight of it.
With Williams ineffective against FSU and missing last week's game, it was Germie Bernard who had emerged as Alabama's WR1 early in the season. He was one of the few Tide players who came to play in Tallahassee. Bernard caught eight passes for 146 yards in the loss. Over the last two weeks, Bernard has gotten into the endzone four times.
Williams and Bernard are one of the most dynamic WR duos in the country. They are two WR1s sharing the spotlight. Williams has the spectacular play ability that few in the country have; Bernard is simply one of the most consistent and reliable receivers you will find.
Alabama's depth at WR behind those two is impressive, too. In the preseason, this group was hyped to a level unforeseen since the Ryde Out days in Tuscaloosa. Through three weeks, they're living up to the hype.
Alabama may have the best WR room in college football
Along with Williams and Bernard, Miami (FL) transfer Isaiah Horton has proven to be a reliable target. Horton caught five passes for 48 yards against Wisconsin, reeling in a touchdown reception from Ty Simpson for the second straight week.
Those three are a talented, tough-to-stop trio. But Alabama has reliability in the two-deep beneath them. It looks like freshman Lotzeir Brooks has emerged as the WR4 behind the starters. He actually got into the game before Horton did this week. Brooks and Horton will split time moving forward to allow Williams to move around. When Williams moves to the outside, Brooks will line up in the slot. When Williams plays from the slot, they'll use Horton on the outside.
Brooks had his breakout last week with Williams out, catching four passes for 58 yards. He caught two for 30 this week, a day that had the opportunity to be much more prolific. Simpson never saw Brooks breaking free for what would have been a long touchdown on the Tide's first possession of the game. He also dropped a pass right between the numbers from Simpson in the second half that would have led to a big play.
Brooks playing so well has pushed Rico Scott to WR5. There may not be a better WR5 anywhere in the country. Guys like Cole Adams, Jalen Hale, and Jaylen Mbakwe can provide quality depth behind those guys, too.
Simpson is getting more and more comfortable with those guys. Coming off of last week's 17-of-17 performance, Simpson followed that up by completing 24-of-29 passes this week, finding every weak spot in Wisconsin's secondary. He racked up 382 yards and four touchdowns, numbers that would've been even better without three dropped passes.
Alabama still has work to do offensively. They've got to find some offensive balance by being able to run the football. If that balance can be achieved, this offense may prove to be unstoppable.
Simpson carved up Wisconsin. He'll hope to do the same thing against Georgia in two weeks. He looks like a different player from the one who struggled for stretches in the first game of the season. With more experience, he'll keep getting comfortable.
And that's bad news for Alabama's future opponents. Simpson is dialed in. He's seeing the field well. And everywhere he looks, there's a dynamic playmaker ready to make a play.