Kalen DeBoer is blazing his own trail in Tuscaloosa. After a rocky 9-4 debut, questions still swirl. Is he the right guy to follow a legend? His transition from Washington was tough. New faces, new playbook, and a wave of players on the move. But now? Things feel more settled. Even Nick Saban chimed in, stating, “I don’t really have an expectation. They’re working hard. It was a difficult transition, …I hope they do extremely well.” So, the foundation’s set, now it’s DeBoer’s chance to build. But will DeBoer have enough weapons on the roster to build?

Well, Kalen DeBoer is wasting no time lighting it up in Tuscaloosa. His 2025 class? Stacked. Five-star QB Keelon Russell flipped from SMU and brings big-play energy. Caleb Cunningham, a five-star burner at wideout, is ready to stretch defenses. And then, Ty Haywood, a beast at tackle, adds muscle up front. However, on defense, lockdown corner Dijon Lee leads a revamped secondary with Chuck McDonald and Ivan Taylor. Moreover, DeBoer’s already got 2026 edge rusher Jamarion Matthews in the fold. So, this isn’t a rebuild—it’s a reload with firepower.

Now, Kalen DeBoer just made a massive move—literally. On May 11, Alabama offered 6-foot-5, 330-pound OL DaJohn Yarborough out of Minnesota. As a powerhouse in the trenches, Yarborough plays at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, and is part of the 2027 class. He already holds offers from Kansas, Maryland, and Iowa State. But now, Bama’s in the mix. He’s explosive off the snap, bulldozes defenders, and finishes every block with attitude. “I think I get off the ball pretty well, I finish blocks to the whistle and very physical,” stated Yarborough. Honestly, this big man could be a future anchor on Alabama’s front line.

But Alabama didn’t just offer Dajohn Yarborough—they made history. On May 15, Touchdown Alabama Magazine revealed via Instagram that the Crimson Tide became the first SEC program to offer the standout 2027 lineman. And Yarborough didn’t hold back. He fired back on IG with a bold message: “I think it’s one of the best college football teams ever… it’s my dream school.” So, the moment was big for both sides. While Bama planted the SEC flag first, Yarborough made it clear: Tuscaloosa’s where his heart is.

However, Yarborough’s stock is soaring—and fast. After a call with Chris Kapilovic, the 330-pound lineman lit up Instagram: “WOW! After a great phone call with @CoachCKap, I am extremely blessed to receive my first SEC offer from the University of Alabama! Thank you!” That offer lit the spark.

On the field, Yarborough brings the heat on both sides of the ball. In 2024, he racked up 4 tackles and a sack on defense and earned All-District honors as a dominant force up front. Now, with two high school seasons left, his offer list is already stacking up. Simply put, the big man’s just getting started.

Now, while Kalen DeBoer focuses on building Alabama’s future roster, the head coach made a big announcement about the quarterback competition.

Kalen DeBoer sends a strong signal on QBs

One of the hottest topics in Tuscaloosa? The QB1 battle. It’s a three-man showdown—Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell, and Austin Mack all fighting for the crown. Experts are buzzing. Predictions are flying. But don’t expect answers just yet. Kalen DeBoer is keeping it close to the vest. No rush. No favorite. The race is on, but the finish line is still out of sight.

However, the QB battle in Tuscaloosa has been fierce all spring. Simpson leads for now—OC Ryan Grubb even said, “If we played tomorrow, Ty would start.” His experience and loyalty to Bama make him the safe pick. He’s stayed through it all, never flinching. But don’t count out the challengers. Austin Mack knows DeBoer’s system from Washington. And Keelon Russell? A 5-star phenom and No. 2 overall in 2025. Now, as summer heats up, so does the battle. But DeBoer’s keeping quiet, no QB1 just yet.

On May 14, Kalen DeBoer made one thing crystal clear—the QB battle is far from over. “It doesn’t (end). The competition always continues. That’s this year. That’s any year,” he told the press. His approach says it all—no early crowning, no clear-cut starter. DeBoer wants his guys hungry, locked in, and pushing each other daily. “The biggest thing for them, the message is that they all got to keep getting better for us to accomplish what we want,” he added. So, honestly, the message? Earn it.

Now, let’s see who can earn the QB1 spot and impress Kalen DeBoer enough to lock it down.