An abundance of talent is a blessing rather than a curse, but for Alabama Football, position groups loaded with talent can be a challenge. For the Alabama Crimson Tide, such abundance exists at cornerback, running back, and especially at wide receiver.
Alabama has seven returning wideouts, plus a key transfer player and two highly valued freshmen. Barring multiple serious injuries there will never be enough targets available for so many guys. When Alabama is in 11 Personnel, there is no doubt the wide receiver starters will be Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and former Miami Hurricane, Isaiah Horton. Maybe three other wideouts will rotate in but the bulk of snaps will likely go to the starting trio.
That leaves seven guys vying to be Alabama's next three wideouts and all seven have attributes to contend to become WR4. The seven are Cole Adams, Jalen Hale, Rico Scott, Jaylen Mbakwe, Bubba Hampton, along with freshmen Lotzeir and Derek Meadows. It could be said of any of them that they have too much talent to keep them on the field.
How many snaps three or four of the second wave of Tide receivers will get may come down to the performance of another position group. That group is the offensive line. Can Alabama provide adequate pass protection with a single tight end, or will Grubb have to often use 12 Personnel, two tight end formations? DeBoer and Grubb also emphasize tight ends as passing targets, also reducing snaps for wideouts. DeBoer and Grubb even used some three tight end sets with the Washington Huskies.
Alabama Football and Pass Protection
What happens with the Tide's wideouts will also be the result of quarterback performance. A good description of what DeBoer and Grubb must have in a QB is, "The system really runs through the QB’s mind, pocket presence, and downfield accuracy." Alabama did not consistently have that combination of skills last season. There was feast or famine in quarterback play. That must change for the Crimson Tide to be a 2025 title contender.
While there is some unknown in Alabama's wide receiver situation, one thing is certain. Alabama Football assistant, JaMarcus Shephard will have the luxury of choosing his regulars from what will be the most intense wideout competition in many seasons.