Emerging Alabama wide receiver continues to generate hype from teammates and coaches that could be a sign for what’s coming in 2025
Alabama’s wide receiver room is elite, but there’s one guy we should be talking about more.
Alabama has one of the best wide receiver rooms in college football. Sophomore Ryan Williams is already considered one of the premier players at his position, and fellow returning starter Germie Bernard is probably one of the more underrated, yet steady pass-catchers in the country.
It’s not just those guys though.
Players such as Jalen Hale and Cole Adams are back from season-ending injuries in 2024. Isaiah Horton is a likely starter after transferring in from Miami, and freshman Lotzeir Brooks seems poised to make an immediate impact in some capacity. We still don’t know what to expect from Jaylen Mbakwe after his transition from defense to offense following what many considered a successful freshman year.
There’s another guy though. One that has generated some attention this offseason, but probably deserves a lot more — and that’s second-year wide receiver Rico Scott. If you follow my work, then you know I’ve been a big fan. He’s been my projected WR4 for quite some time, but continued hype has made me wonder if I’m still too low on him somehow.
Following Alabama’s second practice of fall camp, Bernard was asked about Rico’s growth. Apparently, the former Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, PA) standout brings a different level of speed to the table.
“Rico has been great,” Bernard said. “He ran 23 miles per hour, 23.5. Like, that’s moving.”
“That guy has put in a lot of work within the weight room, within the off-the-field stuff, and he just continued to improve,” Bernard continued. “He asked a lot of questions. His knowledge of the game has expanded. I’m really excited to see what he’s going to step up and do for us.”
Players like Rico Scott typically see their biggest jump from Year 1 to Year 2. Of course, that isn’t always the case, but having time in the system and getting his feet wet (89 snaps on offense last year with five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown) are certain to benefit him as he tries to build on his expanded role from the bowl game against Michigan back in January.
Bernard isn’t the only one signing Scott’s praises though. New Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was also asked about the now 6-foot, 196-pound pass catcher.
“His body transformation from now, even from this winter when I got here to now, I think he was one of the guys who hit the top speed this summer, so one of our fastest guys on the team,” Grubb said. “Super physical player, willing to run through people. And then the level of detail he has in his route running for a young player, and the versatility he can play inside and outside, he’s gonna be a presence this year.”
OK, so let’s recap everything Grubb mentioned there. Speed, physicality, route-running and versatility. Folks, those are four strong descriptors for a wide receiver. Like, really strong. But it’s also not surprising. Back in the spring, I was talking about Alabama’s wide receiver room on my show, Cover Crimson, and I had a source text me and tell me I need to be talking about Rico Scott more.
Since then, I’ve listened. And the more you pay attention, the more you realize that this guy has the potential to be a major contributor in Alabama’s offense this season. And as for what Grubb, Kalen DeBoer and JaMarcus Shephard are looking from the wide receivers…
“You wanna have a deep, talented room, and we certainly have that at Alabama,” Grubb said. “So for us, it’s just gonna be who are the guys that are able to consistently do the same thing every day, make the play, make the tough catches, block. It’s a prerequisite to be able to block to play wide receiver here.”
