Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer offered encouraging news this week regarding the status of wide receivers Isaiah Horton and Lotzeir Brooks, both of whom were sidelined during the Crimson Tide’s recent win over South Carolina. While the Tide’s offense has been “explosive“, they need all hands on deck for a rivalry game.

Speaking during the SEC Coaches Teleconference, DeBoer addressed the condition of the two playmakers, who have been instrumental in Alabama’s offensive success this season.

“I expect those guys to be ready to go for LSU,” DeBoer said. “Lotty (Lotzeir Brooks) was especially rolling out there today and making good progress. Isaiah just got dinged up there in the first half of the game and making good progress.”

Alabama’s receiving duo on track for LSU return after injury scares

Brooks was ruled out ahead of the South Carolina matchup, while Horton started but exited during the first half. Their absence was felt, even as Alabama managed to extend its winning streak to seven games and improve to 7-1 on the season.

Both receivers have emerged as key contributors in DeBoer’s first year at the helm. Horton, a junior transfer from Miami, has tallied 22 receptions for 272 yards and five touchdowns through eight games in 2025, averaging 12.4 yards per catch. His ability to stretch the field and find the end zone has made him a reliable target for quarterback Ty Simpson, especially in high-leverage moments.

Horton’s collegiate career spans four seasons, including three at Miami. Over that time, he’s accumulated 92 receptions for 1,062 yards and 11 touchdowns. His transition to Alabama has been seamless, quickly becoming one of the top weapons in a deep receiver room.

Brooks, a true freshman from Millville, New Jersey, has impressed with his explosiveness and versatility. In six games this season, he’s recorded 16 receptions for 255 yards, averaging a team-best 15.9 yards per catch. Though he has yet to score a touchdown, his big-play potential has added a dynamic layer to Alabama’s passing attack.

The return of Horton and Brooks comes at a crucial time for the Crimson Tide, who are preparing for a high-stakes showdown against LSU on November 8. With Alabama sitting atop the SEC standings and eyeing a College Football Playoff berth, having a full complement of receivers will be vital.

Alabama’s receiver corps, which also features standouts like Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams, has been one of the deepest and most productive units in the conference. But the presence of Horton and Brooks adds a level of explosiveness that could be the difference in a tightly contested SEC battle.

As DeBoer noted, both players are trending in the right direction. If they’re cleared to play, Alabama’s offense will be well-equipped to handle the challenge LSU presents under the lights in Tuscaloosa.