This week, our 2025 Alabama Preview continues with a look at the wide receiver corps and also the tight end group.
As stated in previous articles in this series, in recent years, we’ve waited until fall camp began to take a look at the upcoming team, giving the coaches every possible second to finalize a pre-camp roster. This has led to content droughts, however, so we’ve chosen to break up the 2025 Alabama team preview into eight segments, following our traditional eight-category game previews.
For this week, we look not only at the three starting wide receiver positions, but also the tight end spot, which at times breaks down into two positions, the inline Y-tight end position, and the H-back spot, which is a hybrid tight end/fullback position.
Fans who are familiar with our preview articles know we rate each unit and place them in one of five categories: Excellent, Very Good, Average, Fair and Poor. New for 2025, we do a little advance scouting at the player level as well; if there is something that stands out, good or bad, it is noted for the players.
No walk-ons are rated in these articles – outside of the Special Teams preview, which will be the final in this series – unless we believe the walk-on in question has a real chance of making the actual playing rotation, not just playing in blowout situations. Players are listed below in the way we believe they finished spring camp. For players who were not yet on the team in the spring, they are listed at the end of their respective categories.
We will first list the wide receiver spots, and then cover the tight end spots afterward. Because TideFans.com rates the wide receiver and tight end groups together as a single entity, the rating for this unit may be lower than fans might expect.
WIDE RECEIVERS (Rating: Vg [overall rating of both WR and TE positions])
Starting group – Germie Bernard, Ryan Williams, Isaiah Horton
1. #2 Ryan Williams (So., 6-0, 175)
Strengths: Elite body control, speed to run past any defensive back, soft hands that he combines with instinctive high-point ability
Weaknesses: Slender body type who can sometimes be redirected by press DBs, sometimes overcomplicates the route when he tries to do too much pre-catch positioning
Analysis: Williams was the top true freshman wide receiver in the country last year at just 17 years old, and is already showing up on video game box covers and being talked up for Heisman consideration. Nicknamed “Hollywood,” he often lives up to the moniker and for much of 2024, was Alabama’s lone true playmaker down the field. His closest analog among former Alabama greats was and is DeVonta Smith, due mostly to their comparable physical build. Williams isn’t as sleek as Smith was, but his top-end speed is probably better, and the two of them share a flare for the dramatic catch. The key in Williams’ development will be a more dependable situation at quarterback, where he isn’t called upon so much to create miracles down the field on routes that shouldn’t be so complex. Williams struggled at times when asked to do too much – which in 2024, happened more often than it should have. If Williams has the kind of year a lot of observers think he will, he could legitimately finish the season as the top receiver in the country.
2. #5 Germie Bernard (Sr., 6-1, 202)
Strengths: Physical for his size, good on-route mechanics with an innate sense of how to break off routes and create, better-than-advertised speed with downfield moves that trigger separation
Weaknesses: Can get frustrated and shows it, can be somewhat of an incongruent fit as a slot receiver but does his best to make it work
Analysis: Bernard, who came with the Kalen DeBoer staff from Washington, was the Huskies’ Swiss Army knife as a sophomore, but he broke out – especially down the stretch – for the 2024 Alabama team. Bernard operated mostly out of the slot at Washington, where he wasn’t the most ideal fit, but was positioned as an outside receiver for Alabama for most of 2024. He has good, strong hands and fights for separation and catches, and is highly instinctual to the point of almost being able to manipulate defensive backs and entire coverages. Had Alabama managed to find a better slot option in 2024, Bernard would have been the perfect bookend to Williams in a two-headed passing attack. Bernard is expected to cap off his college career with a highly productive senior season.
3. #1 Isaiah Horton (Jr., 6-4, 209)
Strengths: Great length, high-points balls with fluidity, good hands and speed with a nice top gear
Weaknesses: Production was just OK in sophomore season in Miami, will be in the slot more often than not but isn’t a typical slot body
Analysis: Alabama needed some taller players in the WR group and got Horton to transfer from the Miami program. He had good, but not great numbers as a redshirt sophomore in the Hurricane program, but his spring work in Tuscaloosa showed a player who might be on the verge of breaking out. Horton was impressive at A-Day and seems to turn it up a notch whenever he’s either in or close to the end zone. He will probably be Alabama’s starting slot receiver, although he, Horton and Williams can all transfer between the three positions. It’s hard not to get excited about a wide receiver group that was already in good hands with Williams and Bernard – and then went out and added one of the best available transfers in the portal in Horton. Even Alabama’s tall, veteran cornerbacks had problems denying Horton the ball in spring work.
Projected second unit: Lotzeir Brooks, Rico Scott, Cole Adams
4. #17 Lotzeir Brooks (Fr., 5-9, 188)
Strengths: Elite speed and cutting ability, good hands, plays bigger than he is and looks for open sections of the field across the middle to help out his QB
Weaknesses: True freshman with no D-1A experience yet, might need a bit more bulk
Analysis: After years of the previous coaching staff trying to find the next Jaylen Waddle, DeBoer may have done it in one recruiting cycle. It’s probably no accident that Brooks is wearing Waddle’s old number 17. Brooks was the first reserve receiver off the bench at A-Day, and he appeared to play with the kind of confidence one doesn’t always see in a true freshman trying to break into the show for the first time. He will likely play the slot whenever he’s on the field, but Brooks did get some reps on the outside this spring and showed the speed necessary to handle the assignment. With Bernard’s eligibility up after this season, Brooks should slide neatly into a starting role in 2026.
5. #11 Rico Scott (RFr., 6-0, 195)
Strengths: Added muscle after 2024 and is now a physical force, combines good hands with one-cut go-route ability and should be a weapon on the outside
Weaknesses: More directional than elusive, can get lost in the wash when working over the middle
Analysis: Scott redshirted despite starting Alabama’s bowl game, which became a necessity after Alabama was forced to replace a host of sit-outs against Michigan. Scott showed good hands and speed in limited work up to that point, and acquitted himself well against the Wolverines. Now the question is whether he can make that translate to the field in the fall. Scott’s spring was up and down; he can be a streaky performer and it’s not yet clear just how deep his skill set goes. At worst, he’s a pure X-receiver running to daylight; Alabama hopes he can develop his skills beyond just that.
6. #7 Cole Adams (So., 5-11, 185)
Strengths: Almost flawless hands, high value as a special teams contributor, slot receiver from central casting who plays the sticks route like he was born to do it
Weaknesses: Plays smaller than he is, already has a significant injury sheet, lacks top-end speed
Analysis: Adams had become Alabama’s top punt returner and slot option for a brief time in 2024, but then got hurt twice in the span of less than a month, the second injury being a leg injury that ended his season. He appeared to be either at or close to 100 percent this spring, but there’s a lot of talent around him. Adams is limited in that he is an inside receiver only, so he’s in competition with Brooks for snaps as much as he is the starters. He was the closest thing Alabama had in 2024 to a reliable third receiver, however, so it’s likely the staff will give him every chance to win back his job before moving on.
Third-team/potential depth: Derek Meadows, Jalen Hale, Jaylen Mbakwe, Aeryn Hampton
7. #30 Derek Meadows (Fr., 6-5, 208)
Strengths: Tall with good fluidity, plus hands, intelligent player who appeared to pick up concepts quickly this spring
Weaknesses: No experience, wasn’t expected to be an early contributor coming out of high school, could use some body work
Analysis: Alabama knew Meadows was a talented player and a top recruit, but it’s safe to say he was a pleasant surprise over and above those traits after seeing him in action in the spring. Meadows was a standout at A-Day and to be honest about it, was more impressive than either Adams or Scott. The question will be whether Alabama brings him along slowly or throws him into the fire. By body type, Meadows looks like the guy to follow the guy (Isaiah Horton in his case) rather than a player Alabama will focus on in 2025. But if he continues to pick up concepts as quickly as he already has, and puts up performances like the one he charted at A-Day, Meadows will see the field sooner rather than later.
8. #8 Jalen Hale (So., 6-1, 192)
Strengths: Good top-end speed, would have been a likely starter in 2024 if not for injury
Weaknesses: Severe injury last spring hasn’t completely healed yet, was considered a solid prospect but not a star when he arrived on campus
Analysis: This is a “what-if” story that we may never know the answer to: What if Jalen Hale hadn’t been hurt in spring camp in 2024? Imagining a fully-functional Hale next to Williams and Bernard would certainly have been an improvement over what Alabama eventually put on the field. Hale came to Tuscaloosa as a solid prospect but not necessarily a guy you build a program around, but he just kept impressing people, to the point that stardom appeared to be in reach. Then came a leg injury that was feared to be a career-killer when Hale suffered it. He was back on the field in the spring of 2025, although he clearly wasn’t 100 percent then and there are concerns that some of the injury’s side effects continue to linger. Look for Alabama to bring Hale along slowly, as the talent in this unit is at a level where Alabama can afford to be conservative.
9. #3 Jaylen Mbakwe (So., 5-11, 190)
Strengths: May be the fastest player on the team in a straight line, top-level special teams contributor
Weaknesses: Is changing positions for the second time in two years, isn’t a natural wideout, briefly flirted with the transfer portal so the question is whether he’s fully committed
Analysis: Two years ago, Mbakwe was a high school quarterback. As a true freshman at Alabama in 2024, he was a cornerback, playing a key role in Alabama’s defense. Now he’s a wideout. We’re not completely sure why Mbakwe gave up on cornerback so quickly – a position he appeared to have some real potential – but as a receiver, his spring was an up-and-down affair, the kind you expect to see from a player in the middle of a position change. Evaluating Mbakwe as a receiver, he has elite speed and decent hands, but lacks the instincts of a player who has been playing the spot for multiple years, which is to be expected. His best chance to get on the field, outside of special teams, is in a slot role with customized plays, whether it’s as an end-around runner or perhaps a custom screen design. He’s not ready to join the regular rotation.
10. #21 Aeryn Hampton (RFr., 5-10, 190)
Strengths: Good strength, plays with an aggressive posture, could become a special teams fixture
Weaknesses: No standout traits, multiple injuries already, future is cloudy overall
Analysis: Even though Hampton is just a redshirt freshman, he almost feels like a forgotten veteran. Nick Saban made special mention of Hampton after signing him, praising his physicality. There was a question whether he would end up at receiver or perhaps at safety, where he could let his aggressiveness really come through. As a receiver, Hampton was another in a line of players Saban signed hoping to approximate Jaylen Waddle, but injuries and a slow development track have kept Hampton mostly on the sidelines. He missed most of spring work after missing a chunk of last fall as well. He’s just a freshman, yes … but he needs to make a move forward, quickly, or risk being passed by.
TIGHT ENDS
1. #80 Josh Cuevas (Sr., 6-3, 252)
Strengths: Elite receiver at the tight end position, can play off the ball or as a slot receiver, adequate blocking skills
Weaknesses: Can’t take the regular pounding at Y, doesn’t always win the block when he has to go straight-up and can’t chip or angle-block
Analysis: If Josh Cuevas starts at Y, it will likely be only that Danny Lewis hasn’t yet healed and/or the Tide’s two post-spring transfers didn’t work out. Cuevas started out his college career at FCS Cal Poly, where he was more of a big receiver than anything else. He transferred from there to Washington, then followed the DeBoer staff to Tuscaloosa. As a receiver, he’s one of the best at his craft, playing the spot with fluidity and making tough catches look easy. The question will be whether Cuevas can handle the blocking element of the position. In 2024, he did his best work when lined up at H, although he did occasionally play on the line at Y. He’ll probably do a bit of both in 2025. It wouldn’t surprise us at all to see Cuevas finish with around 40 receptions – he was fourth on the team in 2024 with 16 catches, despite playing a fraction of the snaps of some other players below him on the list.
2. #87 Danny Lewis Jr. (Sr., 6-5, 250)
Strengths: Good blocker, reasonable hands and athleticism, can play H in a pinch
Weaknesses: Hasn’t stayed healthy long enough to display his skill set fully, no one area of his game particularly stands out
Analysis: There is some confusion about whether Lewis is a senior or a junior; the official roster has him listed as a junior, but he initially would appear to have played too many games in the 2022 season to qualify for a redshirt for that year. Regardless, until Lewis was ruled out this spring due to injury, he was expected to come out of spring as the starting Y. Now things are a lot less certain. Josh Cuevas did will enough this spring to possibly introduce some competition from that side, while Alabama added four transfers total. It would seem Lewis still has the inside track, as he is the returning veteran with familiarity in the system, but he will have to come out swinging in fall camp.
3. #88 Jay Lindsey (RFr., 6-5, 258)
Strengths: Good straightline blocking ability, has the frame to get bigger, decent quickness into the route
Weaknesses: Lots of drops in the spring, not fluid as a receiver, was a developmental recruit when signed and probably still is one
Analysis: Lindsey came from a tiny private school before signing with Alabama, and he was never supposed to be the starting tight end as a redshirt freshman at A-Day, but injuries forced it into happening. Purely as a blocker, Lindsey is a hard worker with enough talent to get that part of the job done now, but there are chunks of his game that need improvement. He probably still is a year away physically, but the main issue in the spring was as a receiver. The ball has to be on target with friendly velocity or it’s probably going to be trouble right now for Lindsey, who appears to still be a year away from being a key contributor. If he’s forced into regular duty in 2025, it probably won’t be a good thing for anyone involved.
4. #86 Peter Knudson (Sr., 6-4, 246)
Strengths: Showed good receiving skills in the spring, acceptable blocker from the H position, good athleticism despite the small-school background
Weaknesses: Size and strength are both suboptimal for the Y position, adjustment period to SEC talent levels will be needed
Analysis: Knudson may or may not be on scholarship. He’s a transfer from Weber State with one year left to play, and while he was added for depth purposes prior to the start of spring ball, he wound up finding himself the starter at H-back at A-Day, with no real backup. Knudson responded well to the challenge, showing good receiving skills out of what amounts to a fullback position. He has good flexibility and understands route mechanics, but probably isn’t an option at Y against bigger defensive ends. Having said that, Knudson was one of the bigger surprises at A-Day among knowledgeable observers, and it wouldn’t surprise us to see it carry over to the fall.
5. ## Jack Sammarco (So., 6-6, 250)
Strengths: Good blocking tight end at West Virginia in 2024, frame to get bigger
Weaknesses: Only one catch for 4 yards, needs more bulk now to fill out frame if he wants to see the field early
Analysis: One of two post-spring transfers, Sammarco has three years eligibility left. His body of work at West Virginia was almost completely contained to the realm of situational blocker, which is what we expect this first year in Tuscaloosa as well. Given the need for Lindsey to continue to fill out his frame and develop his receiving skills, we expect Sammarco to have a good shot to eventually land as the second-team Y behind Lewis.
6. ## Brody Dalton (Sr., 6-5, 250)
Strengths: Good blocking skills, developed into a capable receiver during time at UAB and Troy
Weaknesses: Sort of neither fish nor foul when it comes to the H and Y spots – not a clean fit at either
Analysis: Dalton was a two-star recruit out of Fyffe High School, which is not known as a football hotbed. Hence, why he had to start his career at UAB and then Troy before attracting the attention of Alabama when he hit the transfer portal. Dalton could fit at either Y or H, but while he’s big enough on paper to play on the line, he doesn’t always play as big as his listed size. As for life as an H-back, he has acceptable receiving skills but not necessarily the build or mindset of a fullback. Dalton has just one year of eligibility left, so it’s either now or never for him. It will basically come down to Dalton or Knudson as Cuevas’ primary backup.
7. ## Kaleb Edwards (Fr., 6-6, 255)
Strengths: Top-10 TE recruit in the country, excellent hands, enough speed to be considered a hybrid WR
Weaknesses: Blocking is always an unknown until proven against SEC competition
Analysis: One of the few members of the 2024-2025 recruiting class who did not join the team for spring drills, Edwards’ high school tape looks like an NFL player landed at a high school and went incognito. It wouldn’t be a surprise in the least to see Edwards leapfrog several of the names above him on this list and become a contributor as a true freshman. Where Edwards separates himself from the rest of the pack here is in his pure receiving ability, which on tape appears to be on par with that of Cuevas. If he can learn the playbook quickly and get his blocking skills up to par, he’ll be on the fast track to playing time.
8. #18 Marshall Pritchett (Fr., 6-5, 235)
Strengths: Well-developed hands, good route runner who can run by most linebackers
Weaknesses: Got hurt in the spring, needs bulk to be anything beyond a situational receiver
Analysis: Of the two tight end signees, Pritchett was considered to be far behind Edwards in terms of polish and the ability to get on the field as a freshman. Then spring camp kicked off, and the buzz around Pritchett was that he was going to be a far better prospect than recruiting analysts had projected. Then he suffered a leg injury that knocked him out of spring practice, which came just a few months after suffering a broken collarbone in the Under Armour All-America game in January. Pritchett was in need of some additional weight on his frame, anyway, and the dual injuries might give coaches the excuse to redshirt him and prepare for 2026. At his current build, if he plays now, it will likely be as a situational H when Bama needs a receiver.
9. #48 Jayden Hobson (So., 6-5, 255)
Strengths: Played offensive line at Mississippi State prior to transfer, inline blocking won’t be an issue
Weaknesses: Not a natural receiver and didn’t display fluid footwork in spring
Analysis: The last of four transfers Alabama added since the end of the 2024 season, Hobson is a Tuscaloosa native who spent two seasons in Starkville as an offensive lineman. In the spring, he looked exactly like a transfer lineman, skilled at taking on defenders as an inline blocker but not displaying much in the way of receiver skills. Hobson looked to be well behind all the other scholarshipped tight ends who took part in spring drills, and Hobson himself might not be on scholarship. For now, he should be considered a developmental body at the position.
10. #46 Peyton Fox (WO Jr., 6-4, 250)
Strengths: Good size for a walk-on, decent route skills and general athleticism
Weaknesses: H-only tight end due to weakness at the point of block contact, questionable receiving skills and speed
Analysis: One of only three non-special-teams walk-ons we are profiling, Fox received the least work of any of the tight ends on roster for A-Day. Fox doesn’t look like the typical walk-on; observers would have a hard time separating him from the tight ends on scholarship. But that hasn’t translated yet to actually getting onto the field. We will see whether Fox competes for some kind of special teams role in the fall, but the addition of Sammarco and Dalton makes it far less likely.