Which Young Players Will Surprise at Alabama Next Season? Germie Bernard Calls His Shot

The Alabama Crimson Tide will look to replace significant production from its 2025 receiving corps heading into 2026, with leading receiver Germie Bernard (862 yards) declaring for the NFL draft, third-leading receiver Isaiah Horton (511 yards) transferring, and fifth-leading receiver, tight end Josh Cuevas (411 yards) also declaring for the NFL.

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In total, Alabama will have to replace 52% of its receiving yardage from a season ago and 56% of its receiving touchdowns from the 2025 season. The Tide's leading returning wide receiver is junior Ryan Williams, who made 49 receptions for 689 yards and four scores as a sophomore. Alabama is also returning Lotzeir Brooks, who caught 32 balls for 441 yards and two scores as a freshman last year. Who else could step up for Alabama as the Tide looks to introduce Kalen DeBoer's third starting quarterback in three seasons with the Tide?

Former Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard was asked that question during media availability at the NFL combine on Friday, and he named two wide receivers who have stepped up for Alabama in the last two postseasons.

"I think Rico Scott and Lotzeir Brooks," Bernard said. "Those guys - you guys are gonna see those guys got a lot of potential. I think they're gonna do really well, especially in the system of Ryan Grubb. He makes sure that he's able to get the ball in the guys' hands that can make plays, and each of those guys can make plays."

Rico Scott is an upcoming redshirt sophomore with the Crimson Tide. Rated as a four-star receiver in Alabama's 2024 recruiting class, the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, native has quietly been working with the Crimson Tide and learning the offense. In his career, he's caught 16 receptions for 158 yards and three scores. He's flashed his big-play ability with the offense in Alabama's 19-13 loss to Michigan in the Reliaquest Bowl during the 2024 season when he took an end around 28 yards to give Alabama's stagnant offense life against the Wolverines.

Lotzeir Brooks is an upcoming sophomore who made his name known with the Crimson Tide as a freshman, catching 32 receptions for 441 yards and two scores, with both of his receiving touchdowns coming in the Tide's 34-24 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Brooks, a Millville, New Jersey, native, was rated as a three-star receiver coming out of high school, but played well above his star rating as a freshman for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide a season ago.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.