It’s redemption year for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama this season. The HC will return for the second time to lead the Crimson Tide, after shakily pulling through 2024 with a 9-4 finish. There were a lot of question marks for the team and DeBoer before, during, and after the season. Now, it looks like DeBoer has finally settled in, and a new era is taking shape at Tuscaloosa. The roster is seeing some significant development in key departments, enough to attract attention.

DeBoer, as a 2-year HC, pulled off what no other SEC head coach could do. In the spring transfer portal, there were no entries from Alabama scholarship players. That’s a huge victory for DeBoer, especially with how cut-throat and attractive the transfer portal has become. The HC has attacked all its problem areas throughout spring. Those improvements now stand a chance for a better performance. Josh Pate shared with The Next Round the room he thinks has the most development from last season.

“I actually think it’s the DB room,” the analyst declared. “I think they’ve put themselves in a position year one to year two, where there are guys they started last year, that through no fault of their own will be challenged for playing time this year. Because they’ve added quality depth,” Pate said. Kane Wommack will be returning with a core team of defensive personnel. Among them is CB Zabien Brown, who is a key part of Alabama’s secondary. The depth chart will be a problem, because Brown will also be playing with starter Domani Jackson. Another addition is Utah transfer Cam Calhoun, who’s just as formidable as the other two.

And then, there’s an important name from the rookies. “[You] add guys like Dijon Lee, who most of the audience is somewhat familiar with, […] that kid will be a stud. Walks into like, 6-4 at corner, and he’s a true freshman and just good.” Lee will serve to play a key role under Brown, because the latter himself got playing time as a freshman. Lee still holds on to his 5-star rating, and is the No. 2 cornerback of the 2025 class. He comes off a great senior year, with 52 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 2 PBUs on defense. On the offensive side, however, DeBoer still has to arrive at a proper plan for his QB1 position.

Kalen DeBoer needs to lay down a plan to manage his QBs

With Jalen Milroe at Seattle, the quarterback room has to fill in the shoes of an immensely important and reliable player. Nearing the off season, there are still some more adjustments that could come at the QB1 position. Now, OC Ryan Grubb has sealed the deal about who will be the starting QB, i.e. Ty Simpson. But one can’t help but wonder, what happens to that role if our worst fears come true? Crimson Tide reporter Mick Gillispie laid down a hypothetical plan.

“[If] he struggles, then I could see them allowing [Austin] Mack to come in. If both guys struggle, I could see [Keelon] Russell getting a chance if it’s a really bad year. But what you hope is that Ty just takes the ball and runs with it, you know, and I think if that happens—it’s a really tough schedule—but most of those teams, Alabama should be able to beat if they’re focused,” he said. Ty Simpson is the seniormost in the trio, spending two years as the team’s primary backup QB. He’s the guy who knows the demands of the role inside and out, and better suited for it compared with the other two.

But, for DeBoer, there needs to be some more clarity about the QB1 situation. “We’re not where we need to be at the quarterback position yet… And so I feel like that exists within our team, to have that level be accomplished, but this is part of the process,” the HC said. Though Simpson looks set to be the starter, Mack and Russell could still be called on to play if the situation demands so.

Whoever among the three gets that role will have to lead the team through a slew of challenging games. They include the games against Georgia, LSU, and the away games of Auburn and Missouri. Jalen Milroe instilled a sense of hope and resilience even though the team was struggling in general. But now that he’s gone, a huge responsibility awaits the shoulders of whoever is picked to carry on his role. With an improving defense and a developing QB room, Kalen DeBoer is now portraying a lot more confidence about his second season as HC.