For the better part of two years, it has felt like every conversation surrounding Alabama football has centered around what Kalen DeBoer isn't.
He's not Nick Saban.
He doesn't coach like Nick Saban.
He doesn't have Nick Saban's personality.
He doesn't carry himself the way Saban did on the sideline.

#deboer

Alabama's 2028 recruiting class is beginning to take shape impressively.
According to Rivals national recruiting director Steve Wiltfong, the Crimson Tide are one of the biggest early winners in the 2028 cycle after landing another major commitment over the weekend. With three commitments already in July and several of the nation's elite prospects heavily considering Alabama, Kalen DeBoer and his staff have positioned themselves for what could become one of the nation's top recruiting classes.
Alabama added another significant piece on Sunday when four-star linebacker Tysir Young, the nation's No. 7 linebacker, announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.
Young joins an already impressive foundation that includes:
No. 4 quarterback Kingston Preyear

#alabama #young #already

TAMPA, Fla. — The main takeaway from Day 922 of Kalen DeBoer's tenure at Alabama was roughly the same as his first day on the job.
It's OK not to be as sure as the school that just gave him another contract extension for winning one College Football Playoff game.
After eight losses in two seasons, an all-encompassing embarrassment against Indiana 6 1/2 months ago and dozens of press conferences where he says he understands the magnitude of this challenge with an energy more befitting a philosophy professor than football coach, the existential question about Alabama football under DeBoer remains the same.
Is he really the guy?
We're not talking about living up to the standard of Nick Saban. Even for $12.5 million a year, you can't ask a man to chase a ghost.

#Football #tampa #kalen #we 're

As Kalen DeBoer took the stage at SEC Media Days on Wednesday, the uncertainty and countdown to Alabama's quarterback decision continued, with just over a month remaining until the Crimson Tide open the season.
Will DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb turn to sophomore Keelon Russell, or will veteran Austin Mack be handed the reins of the offense as Ty Simpson's successor under center?
Nick Saban may have offered his choice on July 22 while appearing on the SEC Network's coverage of SEC Media Days in Tampa.
REQUIRED READING: Why Jon Sumrall said his Florida move wasn't like Lane Kiffin's to LSU
"I've watched this guy for two springs. He didn't play much in the fall. This guy is a talented guy who is a playmaker who can make plays, and whether he's ready to play now or not — obviously, the coaches have to determine that — he is going to be an outstanding player in the future," Saban said of Russell.

#play

After suffering an injury during the Crimson Tide's "A-Day" spring game, the status of new Alabama football wideout Noah Rogers has been one of the program's biggest storylines over the summer months.
A transfer from NC State, Rogers' status was updated Wednesday at 2026 SEC media days by Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, doing so during an interview with The Game's Ryan Fowler.
"Yeah, he's doing a great job," DeBoer said. "I think early on, when he first was injured, probably a timeline that he's surpassed. I would expect him to still miss some games early in the season, and I'm not going to set limits on what he can do as far as how quickly he can come back, we want to be smart, but he has done a phenomenal job, along with our elite training staff and medical staff, to execute the plan that was put in place. He's coming along very nicely, I guess I'll just put it that way."
The senior was one of Alabama's top portal additions during the offseason, joining the Crimson Tide following a pair of seasons at NC State. Rogers had 68 receptions for 919 yards and three touchdowns with the Wolfpack, and is a prominent name to know entering 2026, projecting as one of Alabama's top wide receivers this fall.
Others such as Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks project as Alabama's top wideouts alongside Rogers, a position group that should be loaded yet again in 2026.

#ryan

There's been no shortage of news from SEC media days. Things continue with Texas A&M football's representatives taking the stand Wednesday to answer questions.
Aggies linebacker Daymion Sanford, safety Marcus Ratcliffe and quarterback Marcel Reed join head coach Mike Elko in Tampa Bay, Fla. A&M has improved every year under Elko, winning 11 games and making the College Football Playoff in 2025.
Alabama, Florida and Ole Miss representatives will also be available. Although the Crimson Tide is not the perennial powerhouse it was under Nick Saban, head coach Kalen DeBoer returns a talented roster led by wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams. The Gators and Rebels are both under new leadership, with the former headed by Jon Sumrall and the latter by Pete Golding.
Here are live updates from SEC media days.

#coach #texas #aggies

As a quarterback battle brews in Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban sees a parallel with one of the most uncertain preseasons of his coaching career with Alabama football.
During an appearance on SEC Network on Wednesday, July 22, the legendary coach reflected on the Crimson Tide's turbulent 2015 quarterback competition, when three different QBs saw action through Alabama's first three games before Jake ***** er ultimately led the program to a national championship.
Those days are gone, and the Kalen DeBoer era has arrived. The current offense isn't loaded with weapons like Derrick Henry or Calvin Ridley, but instead returns the least amount of production in the SEC.
"We just needed a quarterback to manage the game and not mess it up, and (to) be able to throw the ball down the field and complement the great running game we have," Saban said of the 2015 situation.
While the circumstances aren't identical, Saban believes Alabama once again has multiple quarterbacks capable of winning games on its roster.

#saban

TAMPA, Fla. — From his opening salvo at SEC Media Days, Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer made one intention clear heading into the 2026 season.
"We want to be able to run the football better," DeBoer said.
In 2025, running the ball could not have been much worse for the Crimson Tide. Alabama had the second worst run game in the SEC, averaging 104.13 rushing yards per game, and a league-low 3.35 yards per carry. Alabama was inconsistent in the running back room, with no back averaging more than 46 rushing yards per game and only one back averaging more than 4 yards per carry.
In 2026, DeBoer needs a successful run game. It makes offensive play calling easier. It keeps his inexperienced quarterback, whoever it may be, protected.
EJ CROWELL UPDATE: What Kalen DeBoer expects from EJ Crowell in first Alabama football season

#yards #crowell #season

Is Kalen DeBoer the guy for Alabama football? Heading into year three, SEC media pundit Paul Finebaum still doesn't think so.
At the SEC Football Kickoff in Tampa on Wednesday, July 22, Finebaum discussed DeBoer with Stephen A. Smith on "First Take."
Stephen A. Smith had been vocal about his disbelief in DeBoer throughout the week on "First Take," but Finebaum joined the conversation while at the SEC Football Kickoff in Tampa on Wednesday, July 22. His boldest take came moments before the Crimson Tide's coach took the podium.
"Kalen DeBoer has just made a mess out of a great situation," Finebaum declared.
REQUIRED READING: Why this Alabama football QB battle is nothing new to Austin Mack | Exclusive

#finebaum #Football #alabama #wednesday

There is no denying the Alabama Crimson Tide have a number of question marks surrounding the roster entering the 2026 season. Even in spite of that, the program could still be good enough to compete for a national ******* le this fall.
Entering Year 3 of the Kalen DeBoer era, Alabama is in an interesting spot roster-wise as it approaches fall camp. The Crimson Tide boast a team that features a number of experienced veterans, as well as some newer faces who have yet to break out at the collegiate level.
Alabama is also tasked with replacing a number of prominent starters on both sides of the ball, including at quarterback, the offensive line, and others.
There are some unknowns regarding just how good Alabama can be in 2026, though. Yes, the Crimson Tide could struggle at times, particular early in the season, but they could also be one of college football's best this fall, finding themselves making a deep run toward a ******* le in the College Football Playoff.
Taking a look at the Crimson Tide's roster in particular, here are three reasons why Alabama could make a deep CFP run toward a national ******* le in 2026, as well as three reasons why they might not.

Happy Monday, everyone. We have reached the most painful part of the offseason, with fall camp looming in about three weeks and absolutely nothing going on. But, as always, we bring you what we have.
Greg McElroy believes that Kalen DeBoer isn’t getting a fair shake from many.
“Lane Kiffin went 14 years without a Power Conference ranked win,” Greg said.
McElroy brought out the receipt for the disparity. DeBoer already has a 20-6 record against AP Top 25 teams, giving him a 77% winning percentage against some of the best of the best. Kiffin has a losing record of 13-24 (or 13-25) against ranked opponents and literally went 14 years without a single Power Conference ranked win. All that, the media still treats him like the second coming of Jesus.
Greg gave his final verdict: “DeBoer had multiple last year and ended some significant winning streaks in the process. Those who support him don’t have to search very hard for reasons why he’s an elite coach. The evidence is right there.”

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart has been ranked as the SEC's best in USA TODAY's SEC coach rankings by Blake Toppmeyer. Smart has won three of the last four SEC championships.
Smart is entering his 11th season at Georgia. The Bulldogs are 117-21 over the first 10 years of Smart's career. Georgia has won two national championships and four SEC championships during the Smart era, so it should come as no surprise that he's the SEC best ranked coach entering the 2026 season.
"Smart doesn't rule college football with the same authority he did a few years ago, but he retains clear superiority over his SEC peers," Toppmeyer wrote. "Smart's ability to recruit, retain and develop talent remains a weapon, even in this era of transfer free agency. Georgia is still a perennial contender and built to last amid the sport's constant state of evolution."
Smart's teams have remained consistent SEC championship participants and College Football Playoff contenders despite shifting waters due to the transfer portal, changing rules and name, image and likeness.
Only three active coaches have wins over Smart with Alabama's Kalen DeBoer being the only one to earn multiple head-to-head wins against coach Smart. Alabama has had success against Georgia, but Smart and the Dawgs were able to shut down that narrative a bit with a dominant 28-7 SEC championship win over the Crimson Tide in December.

Texas A&M's 2026 season is just eight weeks away, as the Aggies will kick off the new campaign against Missouri State on Saturday, Sept. 5, and after leading the program to its first appearance in the College Football Playoff, Mike Elko enters his third season at the helm with even higher expectations after signing his six-year extension back in November.
After a record 10 players were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, Elko and his staff landed 17 additions from the transfer portal, with more than half coming on defense, while former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton stands out due to his 6'4" frame and ability to stretch the field, providing starting quarterback Marcel Reed much-needed size and a reliable red zone target.
After losing unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell, who led the SEC with 11.5 sacks last season, the hope is that rising sophomore Marco Jones and Northwestern transfer edge Anto Saka provide stability to the pass rush that will yet again require a collective effort to match last season's production.
Mike Elko has earned the national praise that's come his way this offseason, but compared to the other 15 SEC head coaches, nearly every college football ****** yst has placed the New Jersey native in the top 5, while USA TODAY's Blake Toppemeyer placed Elko 6th behind Josh Heupel (Tennessee), Lane Kiffin (LSU), Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), Steve Sarkisian (Texas), and, at a deserving No. 1, Georgia coach Kirby Smart.
"Elko needed just two seasons to take Texas A&M to the playoff. By early November, the Aggies had an argument for being the nation's best team. That unraveled after a scare from South Carolina, followed by losses to Texas and to Miami in the CFP's first round. Still, the Aggies' momentum is palpable. Elko must continue elevating and prove last year was no fluke. His recruiting success suggests he's building Texas A&M for staying power, and he's proven more reliable than predecessor Jimbo Fisher at developing talent."

Happy Monday, everyone. There were many hallelujahs over the weekend after Alabama landed a top 100 prospect in WR Osani Gayles.
After landing multiple receivers in Kalen DeBoer’s first two recruiting classes at Alabama, Gayles is the first one to join Alabama in 2027. But Gayles is the quality of receiver the Crimson Tide expects to land on a yearly basis.
After adding four-star Cederian Morgan in 2026, a top-50 wide receiver from Alexander City, Gayles continues that same trajectory as a different type of receiver. While a smaller frame at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, he is speedy, reporting a 4.43-second 40-yard dash.
A California native that transferred to IMG Academy, Gayles had 20 catches for 492 yards and five touchdowns, per 247Sports, adding 70 rushing yards and a score on five carries.
DeBoer has mostly shown an affinity for big pass catchers, but every squad needs a gamebreaker or two and Gayles has that potential.

When Nick Saban retired from Alabama, he effectively brought an end to one of the greatest dynasties in college football history. Alabama no longer sits atop the sport. Instead, the focus has shifted to a new question: Which program will become college football’s next powerhouse?
As the expanded College Football Playoff era takes shape, several programs should emerge as annual contenders. But which of them has the potential to build a dynasty of its own? Replicating Saban’s unprecedented success may be impossible, but a new dominant force could soon emerge.
MORE: Paul Finebaum is right about Kalen DeBoer-led Alabama
Here are three programs positioned to become the next dynasty in college football.
If any SEC program looks capable of winning it all year after year, it’s Georgia under Kirby Smart.

The Alabama Crimson Tide made its first College Football Playoff appearance under head coach Kalen DeBoer last season, and defeated Oklahoma in the first round before suffering a blowout to Indiana in the quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl.
DeBoer signed a seven-year contract extension worth $87.7 million in April, and Alabama expects greater things from its head coach in the future.
The Crimson Tide will face an uphill battle to return to the CFP this year with several questions on their roster, especially at quarterback with Keelon Russell and Austin Mack set to battle for the starting job in training camp. The defense lost four players to the NFL draft.
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