Alabama football fortified its wide receivers room through the transfer portal early in the offseason, signing former Miami wideout Isaiah Horton. His Hurricane teammates who spoke to reporters in Mobile Wednesday ahead of the Senior Bowl said the Crimson Tide is getting better with Horton’s addition.
Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo spoke of Horton’s attributes.
“He’s a one-on-one nightmare,” Restraepo said. “Matchup nightmare. He’s a great guy off the field as well. He;s created some really good habits just watching me and Cam (Ward) this past year. The guy’s dangerous. He knows football, has great hands, great size and he has deceptive speed.”
Former Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo said he and Horton remain good friends. He raved about what the wideout can bring to Tuscaloosa.
“That’s my guy,” Arroyo said. “They’re getting a dog. He’s a hard worker. He’s gonna put his head down and do what he has to do to succeed on the field.”
Horton caught 56 passes throughout the 2024 season, going for 616 yards and five touchdowns. The Murfreesboro, Tenn. spent three seasons with Miami before entering the portal.
Arroyo later praised Horton’s presence off the field.
“He cares about other people,” Arroyo said. “A lot of people say wide receivers are kind of selfish people. He’s not that at all. He cares about us. He cares about the team. He’s very selfless, he puts the team first as well, and that’s what I admire about him.”
Offensive lineman Jalen Rivers agreed with his teammates’ assessment of the new Alabama receiver. He described the physical attributes that make Horton effective.
“A long body,” Rivers said. “Tall. Catches the ball. He can make plays. He’s consistent and he has that edge about him that he wants to get better. He doesn’t want to settle. To be great you have to think that, you have to have that mindset, so he has that.”
Alabama will have two starting receivers return for the 2025 season, in Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams. Still, Horton will have the opportunity to make a major impact.
Restrepo explained what Horton needs to do in order to make a step for the Tide next season.
“He has to just keep on being consistent,” Restrepo said. “There were highs and lows last year, but that guy’s ready to take the step. I’ve talked to him recently, I mean he’s ready to blow up.”
