Brooks bets on Tuscaloosa, rejecting the transfer portal. His freshman flashes hint at a dominant sophomore season and a reinforced program standard.
Alabama is getting a much-needed win off the field, and it comes from a young player who believes in staying the course. Freshman wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks is returning to Tuscaloosa for the 2026 college football season after re-signing with Alabama.
In an era where patience is rare and the transfer portal has become the first option for many, Brooks choosing to stay says a lot about him, and about the program being built by Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Brooks didn’t waste time making an impact in his first season with the Crimson Tide. As a true freshman, he was on the field in nearly every game, earning meaningful snaps and even drawing a couple of starts along the way. That kind of trust isn’t handed out lightly in Alabama’s wide receiver room, especially to a first-year player.
When the ball came his way, Brooks made the most of his opportunities. He finished his freshman year debut season with over 30 receptions, pushing past the 400-yard mark, and found the end zone twice. His speed and quickness also showed up on special teams, where he became a reliable kickoff return option and added another layer of value to the roster.
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Brooks flashed the kind of traits that translate into a much bigger role moving forward: sharp route running, confidence with the ball in his hands, and an ability to create space against defenders. Those flashes are exactly why there’s real belief inside the program that Brooks could be a breakout wide receiver as a sophomore.
What makes this decision even more refreshing is the timing.
College football is flooded with movement, with players hopping in the portal at the first sign of competition or adversity.
Brooks chose a different path.
He chose development.
He chose trust.
And he chose Alabama.
That matters.
Alabama has always been built on growth, patience, and earning your role. Brooks embracing that process is exciting not just for what it means next season, but for the standard it reinforces inside the program.
With another offseason to grow, refine his game, and deepen his understanding of the offense, Lotzeir Brooks has a real chance to take a significant leap in year two. And for Alabama fans, it’s encouraging to see a young player betting on himself, and on Tuscaloosa, instead of chasing the quick exit.
Sometimes, staying put is the boldest move of all.