Kalen DeBoer’s spring portal success proves that slow and steady wins the race. Remember the Alabama fans’ outrage over his hiring, when they ended with a 9-4 season or losing against Michigan and Vanderbilt? They all jumped the gun, calling for him to be shown the exit door. But folks forgot this man is not new to success. Three NAIA championships at Sioux Falls and a 113-16 coaching record are no joke. Sure, last year’s Alabama ended their 16-year streak of having a 10-win season, but let’s not forget DeBoer was still wet behind the ears. Now, that’s not the case anymore, as DeBoer has finally hit the bar, and the entire college football world is taking notice.

Let’s get straight to the point. After coming off a rough season, Kalen DeBoer’s team saw 23 of their players hit the winter portal. But the spring portal brought some relief to them, as the Crimson Tide didn’t lose a single scholarship player in the spring portal, a fact that DeBoer highlighted with utmost pride. “We really didn’t have any issues, any guys at all that really came forward where we had to feel like we had to fight to keep them,” DeBoer said. This stable foundation allows the team to advance steadily.

But ever wondered about the reason behind this solidity? Well, On3 Recruits’ J.D. PicKell is all in to explain this major shift in lack of portal activity this spring. “I think what it means to me, Josh, is the culture is more or less settled in Tuscaloosa because a year ago, I mean, it was madness. Nick Saban’s retiring, Kalen’s getting the job, and we’re like, okay, what is Bama going to be? I think that was probably the same question you’re asking internally at this point,” Pickell said. And that was the case; people doubted Kalen DeBoer’s caliber, and those early losses made their case even more evident.

Now, the winds have changed. As PicKell says, “Alabama has moved into the apartment; the first year you’re eating off of cardboard boxes, the plates aren’t really out there yet, and you have a mattress on the floor with no bed frame. Now you kind of know what to expect if you’re a Bama fan. We’ve unpacked, we got Wi-Fi, vibes are much more stable, and so I think that’s what you’re seeing here with the lack of portal activity.” It looks like Kalen DeBoer has finally found his footing on the team.

That’s exactly the reason behind Alabama’s 3rd-ranked 2025 recruiting class, both nationally and in the SEC. They have 21 commits so far, with 13 transfers. But as per J.D. PicKell, the best work Kalen DeBoer did was addressing their receiving corps. “I think whenever you lose a player, the school that lost the player, the fan base, it’s easy to be a little bit jaded and say we didn’t need that guy. Miami does not feel that way around Isaiah Horton. What he brings to that receiver room at Alabama, I mean 6’3, 6’4, big size, I just love that he brings a different genre of receiver to go with a Ryan Williams, to go with a Germie Bernard, to go with Lotzeir Brooks, and he’s in the slot as a freshman that could see some time.”

But this is just a start, as Kalen DeBoer already has a master plan locked and loaded to make this season a massive success.

Kalen DeBoer set a clear vision for Bama’s future

Alabama’s spring roster remained stable, yet the team actively sought improvements, particularly at tight end. Following CJ Dippre and Robbie Ouzts’ NFL departures and Danny Lewis’ spring absence, Coach DeBoer focused on bolstering depth. He added Troy’s Brody Dalton and West Virginia’s Jack Sammarco, a mix of youth and experience. “Those two that joined us here after spring ball, really looking forward to them getting to work,” DeBoer said, highlighting their size and versatility.

He sees a team deeply committed to fundamentals and dedicated to improvement. Kalen DeBoer also credits the team’s progress to the “continuity” among coaches and players. “We’ve been able to take things, because of our continuity, both with the coaching staff and our players, to another level when it comes to the details,” DeBoer explained. While acknowledging their progress, he noted the growing momentum and strong team chemistry driving their efforts.

Alabama’s summer outlook hinges on the players’ recovery, too. Freshman punter Alex Asparuhov, sidelined by injury this spring, might return for fall camp. To bolster competition, Alabama added Blake Doud from Colorado School of Mines via the transfer portal. But despite that, Coach DeBoer is optimistic: “Alex will be cleared. That’s the expectation there.” He lauded Asparuhov’s athleticism and recovery progress, anticipating a competitive punting battle.

Kalen DeBoer stressed the importance of team “brotherhood” and “chemistry,” starting with the coaching staff and extending through each position group. He believes this strong team unity fosters a positive environment where players understand their roles and value. “As they refer to, the brotherhood, I think, is very important. That chemistry. It starts with our staff. They feel that. They feel like there’s been alignment on down to each position group and the guys within those rooms. I’m excited that that continuity can exist.”

For Kalen DeBoer, the biggest challenge was breaking new ground at Alabama and gaining the players’ trust. Last season, he skillfully bridged the transition, cultivating relationships and validating his approach. Now that the base is secure, this season is set to fully bloom under his direction.