Heading into his second season as Alabama football’s head coach, Kalen DeBoer has a dynamic group of wide receivers, but far different from the one he had in 2024. The Crimson Tide most notably added Isaiah Horton from Miami, but has gotten taller and more experience across the board.

When asked which position group had made the greatest strides through spring football on Thursday, DeBoer pointed to the wideouts.

“I think the group that is coming along and different than what we had last year was the receiving corps,” DeBoer said. “And I know some of those guys are the same guys, but I think the depth of them, of that group is certainly evident. Today, they made more of those plays and were very consistent.”

The top wide receivers from last year’s Alabama team remain, in Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard. A postseason portal exodus saw many of the other names change, and Jaylen Mbakwe moved over from defensive back.

DeBoer said Mbakwe, a former five-star prospect, has done well in his new role so far.

“I think the thing I like about where he’s at right now is his head is in a good place,” DeBoer said. He’s just working and getting better. And the whole room has improved, right? I mean, from top to bottom. And so it’s competitive. But he’s getting in there and taking advantage of the reps he has. And that’s what you want to do right now at this time. So he got some good reps out there again today.”

DeBoer didn’t pick just one position group though. In addition to the wide receivers, he pointed at Mbakwe’s former defensive backfieldmates.

“I think the defensive backfield is something that is just completely different than what it was a year ago at this time,” DeBoer said. “I know they got better throughout the season, so I don’t want to say that they’re drastically approving right now, but they’re definitely playing with a lot of confidence.

“And so that matchup, whether it’s one-on-ones or seven-on-seven that we do throughout the practices, and then today in the scrimmage, that matchup is really great to see. You see big plays being made on both sides. You see the competitiveness, and that iron sharpens iron pieces, making both sides of the ball better. So those skill areas, I think, are improving a lot from where we were at a year ago.”

Alabama will continue spring practice through April 12, when it will hold A-Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The event will be a regular practice, not a game this year, and admission to the stadium will be free.