Alabama's Most Disappointing Player Has Been Obvious

The Alabama Crimson Tide boast one of the most talented wide receiver rooms in the country, and following the departure of Germie Bernard, we knew that someone would have to step up and assume an ancillary role alongside of Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks.

The problem is that Alabama had a whole lot of options to fill that spot, so someone was going to get squeezed out.

Most felt that sophomore Derek Meadows would ultimately end up being the No. 3 receiver, but instead, it was Rico Scott who won the job, relegating Meadows to a bench role. However, most still figured that Meadows would be utilized.

Well, we haven't seen that since Week 1.

Meadows had three catches for 44 yards in the Crimson Tide's season-opening win over East Carolina. He hasn't had a single reception since.

It's been a very disappointing start for the former four-star recruit, who could be trending toward transfer territory if his role doesn't increase soon.

You would think this Saturday would be as good of a time as any to feature the 6-foot-5 Meadows. Alabama will be facing Mississippi State, which boasts a pair of towering cornerbacks in Kelley Jones (6-foot-4) and Jett Jefferson (6-foot-1).

But it doesn't appear that Kalen DeBoer has any intention of elevating Meadows.

DeBoer made it clear weeks ago that Scott had won that tertiary role behind Coleman-Williams and Brooks, and for whatever reason, he and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb haven't even looked to get Meadows involved.

Now, it should be said that DeBoer and Grubb are watching these guys in practice. Clearly, they do not like what they are seeing from Meadows, so for as much as armchair coaches may be screaming at 'Bama to put Meadows on the field, there's a reason they aren't doing it.

And that makes Meadows Alabama's most disappointing player in 2026 thus far.

Meadows is a freakish athlete who seems to have sky-high potential. There was considerable hype around him when he arrived in Tuscaloosa last year, although he didn't register a catch for the Crimson Tide during his freshman campaign.

Now, we are getting dangerously close to bust territory for Meadows, and with 6-foot-4, 222-pound freshman phenom Cederian Morgan in the mix, as well, Meadows might not ever get the chance to truly shine at Alabama.

Big things were expected from Meadows this season, but it's looking more and more like the Las Vegas product might end up riding the bench.