They say the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. It stands true for the DeBoer clan, but not with exact linearity. While Kalen DeBoer’s eminence stems from and exists on the gridiron, his daughter is making a name for herself on the diamond. Alexis DeBoer is a prodigious star in the college softball realm. But she’s doing it at her father’s previous head coaching stop, the Washington Huskies. As she continues to grow in stature and gain rep, there’s been a notion she could follow the trail Kalen DeBoer traversed just over a year ago and come down to Alabama. Amidst this floating on the airwaves, Alexis has cleared her stance.

Alexis DeBoer is a bona fide star, edging on superstar. The true freshman season has taken to the collegiate level like a duck to water. Akin to Bama’s own Ryan Williams, but while garnering even more plaudits and accolades. She’s just received Big 10 Freshman of the Year honors. Hitting 20 home runs and becoming only the 2nd Huskies freshman ever en route to doing so will take care of that. But somehow, she’s still not quite the best athlete in her family. And no, Kalen DeBoer wasn’t secretly a stud in his day! Nicole DeBoer, Kalen’s wife and Alexis’ mom, was an elite hooper. She’s a 2x South Dakota High School Gatorade POTY.

With all this sporting pedigree and enterprise coursing through her veins, it’s no surprise Alexis DeBoer is as good. Here’s some context for just how good a year she had with Washington and why it inadvertently sparked rumors of a move to Bama. The first baseman led her program in nearly every statistical category on offense. She hit .369 for the season with 54 RBIs and even stole 4 bases, according to ESPN. Which segues into her interview with them, where she addressed the Alabama chatter.

Alexis DeBoer is currently in the midst of the NCAA tournament. Kalen DeBoer and the rest of the family were at her game earlier in the week to cheer her on. But it seems like they’ll continue having to make sporadic trips to the Pacific Coast in order to do so. When confronted about potentially transferring to Bama’s nationally ranked women’s softball team, Alexis said, “I’m right where I want to be, right where I’m supposed to be… I never want to leave this place. There were no second thoughts because I trust Coach Tarr and this coaching staff and what we’re building here.” Head coach Heather Tarr is a massive figure in the softball world and is in her 21st season in that capacity. Kalen DeBoer has also expressed he’s at peace with this decision.

“There has been a lot of attention on her for different reasons, and she’s been solid and consistent in every way,” he said to ESPN. “She’s having fun. That’s what you want as a parent. She’s got some amazing friends there, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate those friends, even their parents, and the way the Washington family has taken care of her. She’s right where she’s supposed to be.”

Kalen DeBoer’s own exit from Washington was bittersweet since he’d just taken them to the Natty. But you don’t turn down Bama, and the school and fans recognize that. They’d sure be grateful another family member isn’t leaving them for the Crimson Tide. Coach DeBoer also spoke about Alexis on a different platform earlier in the week. Where he admitted that even he didn’t envision this sort of instant impact.

Kalen DeBoer is a “proud dad” after Alexis DeBoer’s amazing freshman season

Kalen DeBoer was simultaneously making a transition in Tuscaloosa with the Tide. So he can attest to the sort of growing pains that accompany year 1. But while he has experienced some tumult, Alexis DeBoer’s transition to the college level has been seamless. In fact, her trajectory is pointed even more skyward. Speaking on “The Next Round” podcast, Coach DeBoer pointed to this.

“I’m really proud of her. She is making a name for herself. Just really believe that she had it in her, and it probably happened a little quicker than I even thought!” he remarked. “But she got the opportunities, and she took advantage of them. She takes care of business in all ways, in the classroom and all that kind of stuff. So I’m a proud dad.” That’s got to feel great for Alexis, whose team will look to bounce back after losing their first tournament game to Mississippi State 3-6. Washington and Alexis DeBoer continue their double-elimination regional on Saturday, May 17th.