Alabama’s post-Saban reboot has officially moved out of the mystery box. Kalen DeBoer’s first season was a roller coaster. A 9-4 finish and a No. 17 AP poll ranking. It wasn’t a disaster but more of a reality check. And this is Alabama, where fans aren’t exactly lenient in the ‘average’ narrative. They expect rings, not rebuilds. But heading into 2025, people are finding more reasons for the Tide to thrive despite undergoing a QB dilemma. 

CFB analyst Josh Pate made a bold prediction that put Alabama at the No. 4 spot in his early rankings for 2025. Of course, it raised eyebrows, prompting him to justify his take. And he did so during his appearance on See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack on May 20. And it’s not just about the QB, although we’ll get to that part. The first reason he’s high on Kalen DeBoer’s squad in 2025 is “they may have the best wide receiver room in the league.” Whether he meant the SEC or the entire country doesn’t even matter; it’s truly a mouthful. But you see, Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and Isaiah Horton headline a 10-man deep unit that looks like an elite fantasy camp. That kind of talent can make things easy for whoever wins the QB battle. 

The second thing is about the glue guys which Josh Pate compared with Ohio State last season, that propelled them to the National Championship victory. “There’s this nucleus of guys who could have tested the NFL waters, probably needed to come back for another year…that group of guys stayed just like they stayed at Ohio State last year,” he said. “Now that doesn’t guarantee you anything, but what it does guarantee is it guarantees you’ve got a nucleus of the ones you trust.” Guys like Domani Jackson, LT Overton, and Parker Brailsford had options. But they stayed. And that tells you something about what Kalen DeBoer is trying to build this season. 

“Thirdly, the DB room is incredibly upgraded personnel-wise from what they had a year ago,” Pate added. Now, that once young and raw secondary is now experienced and stacked. Throw in Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, Keon Sabb, and others, and Kane Wommack’s unit might quietly be one of the nastiest in the SEC. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s buzz around names like James Smith, Qua Russaw, and Steve Bolo Mboumoua, who could even become the year’s breakout name. And now, coming down to the QB conversation…

Nick Saban nods his approval for Kalen DeBoer’s expected starter

The quarterback angle is where things get juicy. Alabama has no guaranteed QB1 as of yet, but there’s a growing sense that Ty Simpson will win over Keelon Russell and Austin Mack for the starting job in 2025. And wouldn’t you know it, Nick Saban himself just gave the guy a public endorsement.

At his annual golf tournament for his Nick’s Kids Foundation, the GOAT said, “Ty was an outstanding high school player no doubt. He’s a fine young man. I think his example is a true example of development. He matured and developed for two years, and now he’s getting an opportunity, and his experiences will help him to be successful.” Can anyone be more direct than that?

Nick Saban isn’t just being polite. He’s seen Ty Simpson wait, grow, and develop over the years, and he thinks the fourth-year Alabama QB is ready after sitting behind both Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe. “We’re rooting for him, and we have all the confidence that he’ll do a great job,” the former Alabama coach added. So yeah, it’s go time.

Kalen DeBoer finally has his team. After three portal cycles and a spring where coaches could actually coach without tiptoeing around players’ egos, it feels like Alabama is reloaded, not rebuilding.