Is 2025 going to be a turnaround for Kalen DeBoer? Well, this might be the question that the Alabama Crimson Tide is looking for. Before they get their answer, here comes a big turn-off. The burden of a long list of injuries that is plaguing Tuscaloosa is only getting lengthier. On March 3, DeBoer appeared for a press meet after their first spring practice with some not-so-good news about the players who aren’t fit for the gridiron action. While the fans might be upset with the list, DeBoer sprinkled some interesting take on the QB situation in Bama.
So the second year of the DeBoer era has hit the pedal. The spring practice has started and will culminate in the team’s annual A-Day spring game at noon on April 12 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. While this might be catching fans with some happy feels, here comes some gloomy news. Crimson Tide will not have a full roster and multiple players will miss the spring practice with injuries. “I’ll just read off the ones that will be out for the spring,” DeBoer said. These include- punter Alex Asparuhov, long snapper David Bird, receiver Bubba Hampton, and linebacker Fatutoa Henry. Hold on! There are some notable players too, who will have to be in the wings for some more time.
Source: Imago
The unlucky ones are cornerback Domani Jackson, linebacker Deontae Lawson, tight end Danny Lewis Jr., and safety Keon Sabb. Coach DeBoer continued, “Then we have some guys that are uh limited just to Indie only and non-contact.” The individual drills players are linebacker Justin Jefferson, left tackle Kadyn Proctor, and defensive lineman James Smith. Now this might be coming off as a surprise for Alabama fans, but DeBoer and Co. has made peace with it.
As the HC stated, “Pretty much most of those injuries from last season still and expected. Nothing new there from our standpoint.” For instance, Keon Sabb did appear against Tennessee last season. During the game, he came with a season-ending ‘lower extremity injury’ compelling the redshirt sophomore to undergo surgery. So, is it going to be a costly loss? Well, definitely! With Sabb missing, DeBoer’s tribe will be missing out on the vigor. After all, the safety played 30 snaps against the Volunteers despite dealing with the injury. Now that the long injury list robs away the hope from Bama fans, is there anything good awaiting them in the QB picture?
Kalen DeBoer’s trio takes the stage
Drum rolls, peeps! Alabama football’s 2025 quarterback battle has officially begun in spring ball. During the first spring practice, the fight for the QB1 spot did see some neck-to-neck fight to replace Jalen Milroe, who is now off to the NFL. DeBoer’s three quarterbacks – Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell each took the field. Now what better moment of pride for DeBoer than this? The HC believes that things are just getting started in the QB room.
One could easily sense that feeling of pride when DeBoer shared, “They’re all at different points.” He continued, “Few things, procedure wise, that were a little different. Good to see those guys all operating through that. They all had their times, of course, where they looked really good. And times where they got to continue growing, get better.” Well, Tuscaloosa has not experienced such a tight contest in their QB room for quite some time now.
The last time was in 2018 when they witnessed the Jalen Hurts vs. Tua Tagovailoa battle in 2018. Now the fact that so much energy is in the QB room, is it a good decision? Of course! After all, an inconsistent passing game was one of the main factors in the Tide’s disappointing 9-4 campaign last season. With long-time assistant Ryan Grubb as Bama’s new offensive coordinator this offseason, they just need a right signal-caller running the show. Ty Simpson appears to be the leader of the room heading into 2025 with three seasons under his belt. Mack, in his one season at Alabama while Russell is the newcomer. Let’s see which signal-caller steps up to snag Milroe’s job and spark a new era for Kalen DeBoer’s Bama squad.
The post Kalen DeBoer Drops Major Injury Announcement From Spring Practice While Clearing Stance on Starting QB Debate appeared first on EssentiallySports.
