Kalen DeBoer has offered a clear indication that Rico Scott is the likelier choice for Alabama’s third starting wide receiver against East Carolina, although he stressed that Derek Meadows will still have a role. The decision, as DeBoer framed it, may come down to personnel as much as individual talent.
On Wednesday, during the SEC Coaches Teleconference, DeBoer was asked directly whether Meadows or Scott would get the nod. His answer pointed toward Scott, who he said has been around a little longer and would “probably” get the nod, but he was careful not to close the door on Meadows.
Why Rico Scott has the edge
The broad expectation around Alabama is that Ryan Williams and Lotzeir Brooks will be the other starting wide receivers against East Carolina, which leaves the third spot as the main lineup question. DeBoer’s comments suggested that Scott has a slight edge in that battle, but not because Meadows has fallen out of consideration.
“It kind of depends on a little bit what we want as far as personnel, eleven or twelve personnel, tight ends on the field, multiple running backs,” DeBoer said. “I mean, there’s a lot of different things we can do.”
That matters because the role is not being treated as a fixed one. DeBoer made it clear that Alabama’s plan could change depending on the package on the field and what each receiver does best.
“So sometimes it has to do with what each guy does best,” he said. “Rico’s the guy that’s been around a little bit longer, probably give a nod to him, but that doesn’t mean that Derek can’t do that.”
Meadows is still part of the plan
That final point is important. DeBoer did not present this as a simple case of one player being chosen and the other being dropped. Instead, he described both men as part of the rotation and part of the offense’s overall picture.
“They are both gonna be integral parts,” DeBoer said. “They’re both gonna be in the mix, having an impact.”
For Alabama, that means the immediate answer to the third receiver question appears to be Scott, but the longer view is broader than one starting label. Scott’s experience gives him the edge for now, while Meadows remains firmly in the conversation.
That is also consistent with what each player has done so far. Last season, Scott finished with two receiving touchdowns on 11 receptions for 98 yards. Meadows, by contrast, did not have a catch. Those numbers do not decide the competition on their own, but they help explain why Scott is the more obvious option to start if Alabama want the safer choice.
The real takeaway from DeBoer’s comments is that Alabama do not appear to see this as a closed competition. The Crimson Tide seem prepared to use both players, and against East Carolina the final answer may depend on which offensive package they want to lean on first.
