What will the Alabama football offense look like under Ryan Grubb? No one knows more than Germie Bernard.

The Alabama Crimson Tide has long been a dominant force in college football, but the landscape of the sport is always evolving. One of the most anticipated changes for Alabama heading into the 2025 season is the potential transformation of their offense under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. As the head coach Nick Saban has made a concerted effort to continue Alabama’s tradition of excellence, especially on the offensive side of the ball, the question of what the offense will look like under Grubb’s guidance is at the forefront of discussions.

Grubb, who was hired to revamp Alabama’s offense, comes with a reputation for building explosive, high-scoring systems. His success at Washington, where he led the Huskies to an offense that was both efficient and prolific, made him an obvious candidate for the job. However, what’s particularly intriguing about Grubb’s hire is the potential impact it will have on Alabama’s style of play, which has traditionally been grounded in a balanced attack with a heavy focus on running the ball.

As the offensive shift looms, one player who may have the clearest insight into what Grubb’s offense will look like is Germie Bernard, the highly regarded Alabama wide receiver. Having worked closely with Grubb at Washington before transferring to Alabama, Bernard is uniquely positioned to offer a glimpse into what fans can expect from the Tide offense in 2025. Through his understanding of Grubb’s coaching philosophy and his own role within the system, Bernard can shed light on the offensive identity Alabama may embrace.

This article will explore the key components of Ryan Grubb’s offensive system, how Germie Bernard fits into it, and what Alabama fans can expect from the offense in 2025.

Ryan Grubb: The Architect of a New Offensive Era

Ryan Grubb’s hiring as Alabama’s offensive coordinator marks a significant departure from the traditional Alabama offense. For years, Alabama football was known for its power-running game, its ability to dominate the line of scrimmage, and its reliance on solid, mistake-free quarterback play. While these attributes will still be essential in 2025, Grubb’s approach emphasizes a more dynamic, pass-heavy attack.

Grubb’s previous success at Washington demonstrated his ability to adapt to the modern college football landscape, where teams are increasingly relying on up-tempo, spread offenses to put pressure on defenses. At Washington, Grubb helped orchestrate an offense that was known for its high-flying passing game and the development of Michael Penix Jr., a quarterback who thrived under Grubb’s tutelage and led the Huskies to one of the nation’s top offenses.

Grubb’s offensive philosophy centers on creating explosive plays through the air, making full use of wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs as dual threats. His system utilizes a balanced attack but places a significant emphasis on spreading the field, creating mismatches, and allowing the quarterback to make quick, decisive throws. Alabama fans can expect more vertical passing concepts, more spread formations, and a heightened focus on tempo under Grubb’s watch.

What makes Grubb particularly effective is his ability to maximize the talents of his players. Whether it’s developing a quarterback, designing creative route combinations for wide receivers, or ensuring that running backs can catch passes out of the backfield, Grubb understands how to take full advantage of a team’s offensive weapons. This will be critical as he inherits an Alabama offense full of talent but lacking a clear offensive identity.

Germie Bernard: A Key Figure in Alabama’s Offense

As Alabama embarks on its offensive overhaul under Ryan Grubb, Germie Bernard emerges as one of the key figures who will likely benefit most from the changes. A transfer from Washington, Bernard played under Grubb in 2024, where he became familiar with the offensive system that Grubb built at Washington. Bernard’s experience in Grubb’s system gives him a unique perspective on what to expect in Alabama’s offense and what role he will play in its evolution.

At Washington, Bernard showcased his explosive playmaking ability as a wide receiver, flashing impressive route-running skills, solid hands, and the ability to gain separation from defenders. Grubb utilized Bernard in a variety of ways, often moving him around the formation to take advantage of mismatches and make him a versatile weapon. Bernard’s ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays will be invaluable to Alabama’s offense in 2025, as Grubb looks to build an attack that can keep opposing defenses on their heels.

When asked about what he expects from the Alabama offense under Grubb’s leadership, Bernard had plenty to say. “The offense is going to be very fast-paced,” Bernard explained in a recent interview. “We’re going to put a lot of pressure on defenses by spreading the field and making them account for all of our weapons. The way Coach Grubb uses the whole offense—wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs—will make us unpredictable.”

Bernard’s excitement about the new system is palpable, and it’s easy to see why. Grubb’s system is one that places a premium on the passing game, which plays directly into Bernard’s strengths as a receiver. In Washington, Grubb utilized Bernard as a deep threat, often stretching the field vertically with explosive routes designed to take advantage of his speed and agility. In Alabama, Bernard will likely have similar opportunities to be a focal point in the passing game, where his deep-ball ability can help open up the offense.

The importance of Bernard’s role in the offense cannot be understated. With Jermaine Burton and Kobe Prentice also expected to play key roles at receiver, Bernard will likely be counted on to help transform Alabama’s passing attack into a more explosive and consistent unit. His ability to provide a deep threat will create opportunities for other receivers to thrive, especially if defenses are forced to focus on limiting his vertical impact.

The Quarterback Position: A Crucial Element in Grubb’s Offense

Of course, any conversation about Alabama’s offense in 2025 inevitably circles back to the quarterback position. Alabama has long prided itself on its dominant running game, but the modern college football landscape has shifted towards dynamic quarterbacks who can both make plays with their arms and legs. Ryan Grubb’s system is designed to make the most out of a quarterback’s strengths, and that includes allowing quarterbacks to operate in a system that prioritizes quick decisions, mobility, and accuracy.

At the time of writing, Jalen Milroe is the leading candidate for Alabama’s starting quarterback in 2025. Milroe’s dual-threat ability has been well-documented, and under Grubb’s system, Milroe could flourish as a quarterback who is asked to make quick, efficient throws while still leveraging his athleticism to extend plays with his legs. His ability to stretch the field with his arm and legs will fit well in the spread concepts that Grubb likes to run.

However, Milroe’s development under Grubb will be a major storyline heading into 2025. Grubb’s ability to fine-tune Milroe’s mechanics and decision-making, especially in the pocket, will be critical for the success of Alabama’s offense. With Bernard and other explosive weapons on the outside, Milroe will have the opportunity to push the ball downfield more frequently than in previous seasons.

That being said, it’s not just Milroe who will need to develop under Grubb’s tutelage. The quarterback position at Alabama is always fiercely competitive, and Ty Simpson, another promising young signal-caller, will also compete for the starting job. If Simpson wins the job, he would be the beneficiary of Grubb’s expertise, which could help him reach his potential as a dynamic playmaker in the Tide offense.

The Running Game: A Complementary Weapon

While Ryan Grubb’s system is often associated with a high-flying passing attack, it’s important to note that the running game will still be a crucial component of Alabama’s offense. Grubb’s system relies on balance, and while he emphasizes the passing game, he also incorporates a running game that can keep defenses honest and open up play-action opportunities. With talented running backs like Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams, and potentially Justice Haynes, Alabama will continue to have a strong ground attack that complements its aerial attack.

Grubb’s system could lead to more screen passes, swing routes, and running back usage in the passing game—concepts that will allow the running backs to be involved in both facets of the offense. In particular, McClellan, with his ability to catch passes out of the backfield, could emerge as a critical player in the offense, acting as a safety valve for whichever quarterback is under center.

What to Expect from the 2025 Alabama Offense

In 2025, the Alabama offense will likely undergo a significant transformation under Ryan Grubb. The Tide offense will move away from being a primarily power-running team and transition into a more balanced, spread-oriented attack that emphasizes the passing game. The system will involve spreading the field, creating mismatches, and capitalizing on explosive playmaking from players like Germie Bernard, who will be key in making the offense difficult to stop.

While the success of the offense will rely heavily on the development of the quarterback position, Grubb’s ability to get the most out of his playmakers—both in the air and on the ground—will be critical. If everything clicks, Alabama’s offense could become one of the most potent and dynamic in the country, complementing the defense and keeping the Crimson Tide as one of the top programs in college football.

As Germie Bernard suggests, there’s no shortage of excitement surrounding the upcoming changes to Alabama’s offensive scheme. With Ryan Grubb at the helm and playmakers like Bernard ready to step up, Alabama football is poised for an exciting offensive future in 2025.