Alabama will be hoping to rely on its strengths for the rest of the season, as the Tide is already on shaky ground. Kalen DeBoer, however, surprisingly announced the departure of a player from the team, who was struggling to find playing time. The player was lodged deep in the chart beneath showrunner Ryan Williams, making his future at Tuscaloosa even more difficult.

Ahead of the season, Alabama was bringing forward one of the deepest receiving corps in college football. Not just that, but it was also fairly inexperienced. Behind Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, DeBoer sure had the manpower. But they were also a doubtful batch. Shockingly enough, DeBoer announced in the SEC coaches’ teleconference that WR Aeryn ‘Bubba’ Hampton was no longer with the team. In fact, he hasn’t been with the squad since “early fall camp.” Hampton was a 4-star WR and was looking to get some playing time this season.

He was coming back from an injury this year, which was also a mysterious development in the last offseason. Hampton has only recorded 1 catch in 3 games with the Tide. DeBoer didn’t explain the WR’s absence any further, which adds more suspense about Hampton’s career. He is a Texas native and was hotly pursued by the Longhorns. As of now, neither the coach nor the receiver has explained the situation further. But looking at how deep the depth chart is at Alabama, it does help clear the confusion a little.

Bernard and Ryan Williams ended up becoming the top targets for Jalen Milroe. They remain the leaders in the receiving corps now that Ty Simpson has taken over. Beneath them, we have Isaiah Horton and CB-turned-receiver Jaylen Mbakwe. Among freshmen, Rico Scott and Cole Adams are budding names. So far in the season, 14 Alabama players have caught passes. Williams will continue to dominate the room until next year, at least. Clearly, it was tough for Bubba Hampton to make a name for himself. Also incoming in 2026 is 5-star WR Cedarian Morgan.

Hampton may be looking at the transfer portal because it is way too crowded here at Alabama. Rivals ranked him as the No. 26 prospect from Texas, while also being the No. 5 athlete in the state. Hampton also played on the defensive side. In his junior year, he hauled in 57 tackles (5 TFLs), 2 forced fumbles, and 3 INTs as a junior. Offensively, however, the WR caught 55 passes for 1,161 yards and scored 13 TDs. Hampton’s supposed departure remains a mystery, for now.

Alabama will be hoping to regain its footing in the season, as a troubling loss to FSU still haunts the squad. DeBoer also lost the star Williams to a concussion in the FSU game. DeBoer had some news to look forward to for their Week 3 clash against Wisconsin.

Kalen DeBoer has a positive update about Ryan Williams’ status

Had it not been for Jeremiah Smith stunning fans into a stupor with his show last year, it would’ve been Williams who would’ve emerged as the No. 1 receiver. Still, he had a brilliant debut at Alabama last year. And naturally, he was expected to go much bigger this season as a sophomore. But an ugly collision with 2 FSU defenders took out Williams in Week 1 itself, ruling him out for the ULM game as well. Though the Tide managed without him, they’ll want to have him back when Alabama faces Wisconsin.

Things are looking good for the WR as of now, DeBoer indicated in the conference. “We expect him to play,” he told the press. Ryan Williams is also awaiting an opportunity to bounce back after a tough debut against the Seminoles. He ended up dropping the ball three times in the game and went 5-of-11 on passes and tallied 30 yards. A receiving unit without the star player could be one of the nails that will go into Alabama’s coffin this season, if it turns up with a bad result.

Too many cooks do spoil the broth. Frustration because of the overcrowding might get to some of them, forcing them out inevitably. Given the number of people still crammed in Alabama’s receiving unit, it’s not much of a surprise that Hampton left. Ryan Williams, however, will soldier on as the room’s leader for the rest of the season.