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Alabama Standout Credits Kalen DeBoer for Major Transfer Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 3:11 PM ET

Wide receiver Germie Bernard played a significant role in the Washington Huskies' 2023 success, appearing in 14 games and recording 34 receptions for 419 yards and two touchdowns.

However, that was the sole season he spent with the program, because after coach Kalen DeBoer left to replace the legendary Nick Saban with the Alabama Crimson Tide, the wide receiver followed.

On Thursday, "The Next Round" posted a video on its YouTube channel in which Bernard revealed how his relationship with DeBoer while on the Huskies fueled his decision to switch schools.

"Honestly, it's just how genuine he is and how much he cares about you know the people around him," Bernard said, "And you know just for another person like that to you know take a chance on me and you know understand what I went through is honestly it, it's really surreal to me that I have a person like him in my life and you know I'll be, I'll forever be grateful that I have a relationship with him like I do."

Now, after Bernard's first year with the Crimson Tide, he saw his numbers take a significant boost, as he appeared in 13 games, while accumulating 50 receptions, 794 yards and two touchdowns.

His contributions were one of the biggest factors in Alabama producing some solid offensive numbers, finishing the season ranked 22nd in points per game (33.8) and 42nd in total yards per game (410.2).

Going into 2025, he will look to help Alabama and DeBoer achieve some lofty expectations, as ESPN BET currently gives them the third-best odds (+400) to win the SEC and tied for the seventh-best (+1300) to win the national championship.

This is also Bernard's last year of eligibility, meaning he's trying to show NFL teams why he's worthy of a selection, as Pro Football Focus currently has him as the No. 13 wide receiver and No. 116 player on their big board.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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