Kalen DeBoer is already sweating away with the firing chatter growing after his controversial playcalling during the Rose Bowl. The transfer portal wasted no time piling on. Two Alabama Crimson Tide undisputed starters are gone in the blink of an eye, just hours apart. 

“To everyone who has been a part of my journey,” wrote defensive lineman LT Overton while declaring himself for the 2026 NFL Draft on January 4. “Thank you. Every phase of my career brought lessons.”

Kalen DeBoer and Co. were still wrapping their heads around this news when they got hit with another blow. The Transfer Portal page of Instagram confirmed that DeBoer’s starting offensive tackle, Wilkin Formby, is ready to hit the transfer portal, as reported by On3’s Pete Nakos. 

The post was also shared by the player himself on his IG story, giving the seal of approval. 

At the end of December, Overton had accepted an invitation to the Panini Senior Bowl. DeBoer’s senior defensive end carried a strong resume. He wrapped up the 2025 season recording 40 total tackles, 25 solo, and four sacks. 

Those numbers pop even more when you consider he shared the field with Tim Keenan III, Yhonzae Pierre, and Deontae Lawson. Overton fits the tweener mold at 6-foot-5, 278, splitting reps between tackle and edge for DeBoer’s squad in 2025. He’s stout, violent at contact, and his bull rush will play early.

DeBoer had every reason to flex him as a havoc-wrecker up front in 2024. In that season, he stacked 42 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in the regular season. Cut to 2025, Overton saw limited action. 

LT Overton missed the Alabama Crimson Tide’s SEC Championship game against Georgia and the College Football Playoff first-round game against Oklahoma. While it’s a bittersweet feeling for DeBoer to see Overton in the NFL Draft, Formby’s exit is going to sting him. 

It’s been a rollercoaster for Formby at right tackle. Coaches loved what they saw in the spring and summer. The Tide raved about his offseason leap, maturity, muscle, and cleaner technique. But the position remains a work in progress.

DeBoer spent the early season spinning the offensive line roulette. He cycled through combinations until freshman Michael Carroll began pushing Formby for snaps. After plenty of trial and error, the Tide settled on the right side – Carroll at tackle, Formby at guard.

After watching seven offensive linemen walk out the door, Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers are desperate for trench help.

Enter Formby, the 6-foot-7, 324-pound Alabama product who already has a built-in relationship with Tigers offensive line coach Eric Wolford. 

With Formby hitting the portal, how does the damage look for DeBoer and Co.?

A Crimson Tide talent drain that Kalen DeBoer can’t ignore

Formby is the fifth offensive lineman and the 12th player that DeBoer’s Crimson Tide lost to the portal. The four other offensive linemen are Roq Montgomery, Olaus Alinen, Joseph Ionata, and Micah DeBose. The other players who also hit the exit door are wide receiver Aeryn “Bubba” Hampton, defensive back Kameron Howard, and running back Richard Young, among others.

With every player hitting the portal, the temperature of DeBoer’s seat is increasing. There was a time when players used to swarm around the Crimson Tide because of Nick Saban. We have also seen how players left Tuscaloosa when the GOAT retired.

Fast forward two years, and DeBoer is now carrying the burden of a disturbing number. Over the past two years, 66 players lost faith in the program and decided to leave. 

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The situation became so serious that even Alabama alums are no longer confident enough to leave their sons in the hands of DeBoer at the Crimson Tide. For instance, Mark Ingram was the first Heisman Trophy winner. However, the former Alabama running back would prefer the Texas Tech Red Raiders over his alma mater for his seven-year-old son. 

“I’mma be there at the Orange Bowl,” said Ingram to the Red Raiders’ head coach, Joey McGuire. “He’s seven. So, hopefully in 10 years, if you’re still doing your thing, I’mma have one ready for you.”

This season puts Kalen DeBoer on the clock. Identify the flaw, fix it quickly, and regain the trust of players and alumni.