The Alabama Crimson Tide are looking to recover from an underwhelming season under head coach Kalen DeBoer in 2024. Ahead of the upcoming campaign, DeBoer issued a firm statement to the quarterbacks room in Tuscaloosa, as the school gears up to find the right replacement for Jalen Milroe.
Alabama experienced a frustrating season, in a way they had never experienced under head coach Nick Saban. DeBoer’s first year with the school was extremely challenging, and the transition from the Pac-12 to the SEC proved detrimental for his gameplan, and team’s performance.
Ahead of the 2025 campaign, DeBoer’s problems haven’t gone anywhere and have, in fact, multiplied. Especially after starting quarterback Jalen Milroe announced his decision to declare for the NFL Draft, leaving the Tide with a big void at the QB1 position. A spot that will most likely be filled by redshirt junior Ty Simpson, redshirt freshman Austin Mack, or freshman Keelon Russell.
With a huge decision pending, DeBoer sent the quarterbacks on the program a straightforward statement.
“I’m excited about what they all bring to the table. Can’t wait to get back on campus here in February and work with them,” DeBoer admitted during an interview at the Senior Bowl, per On3. “The skillset’s there, there’s very strong strengths that we have and excited about them being similar in a lot of ways.
“Of course, everyone’s different. They’ve got the things that they bring to the table. But they all three just work together, and that’s really led to workouts already that they’re running that sound like they’ve been very efficient and got a lot of work done.“
DeBoer praises Simpson for staying with the school
Despite seeing the field on very limited occasions, Ty Simpson decided to stand by his commitment to the University of Alabama, and patiently wait his turn behind Milroe. As Milroe embarks onto the NFL, Simpson faces his biggest opportunity since landing in Tuscaloosa.
“You certainly appreciate what he’s done. Just continued to work on what he can control, and that’s himself,” DeBoer said about Simpson. “Continued to build relationships to get ready for this chance that he has right in front of him. To not just step up as a leader because I think he’s been doing that, but to have that opportunity to step in and be the quarterback.”
Hopeful for the future
This past NCAA season didn’t go Alabama’s way, whatsoever. Harsh losses hampered what was shaping up to be a great year, and the wheels fell off the team as they came short of the 10-win goal set by Saban, and lost their bowl game against Michigan.
However, DeBoer is confident he can flip the switch and help guide Alabama back where it belongs in college football, among the best four teams in the country.
“We know that we need to be better. That’s the expectation I had from Day 1, is that we perform at a championship level, and we certainly fell short of that” DeBoer admitted. “Really excited about the momentum we have with so many players choosing to continue their career here and build the stock that they have to get to the level that we’re talking about, going to the NFL.”