Alabama football saw once again how much of an impact a freshman can make last season, when Ryan Williams starred at wide receiver, while famously still being 17 years old. For the 2025 campaign, which will feature Kalen DeBoer’s first full recruiting class as the Crimson Tide’s head coach, there are a handful of potential breakout candidates who have just arrived on campus.
With spring in the rearview mirror, and preseason camp still to come ahead of UA’s Aug. 30 season-opener at Florida State, here’s three freshmen who could make a major impact in 2025.
It would appear that the Crimson Tide’s strong lineage at wide receiver will continue for the foreseeable future. Brooks could play a big role in keeping Alabama strong at wideout.
“I would say that’s probably his starting point right there,” DeBoer said of Brooks playing the slot. “You think right away ‘get the ball to him and let him do his thing’, but he’s really good down the field too. Has really good body control, can win on defenders down the field and not just in the first couple yards and when he’s got the ball in his hands. So he’s been really impressive.”
Brooks made several impressive catches during Alabama’s A-Day open practice. The best came in 7-on-7 drills, when Austin Mack underthrew the freshman, who made a perfect adjustment to snag the pass.
