Now when they said that filling GOAT Nick Saban’s shoes won’t be an easy task, they were absolutely right! Alabama Crimson Tide HC Kalen DeBoer realizes this at every step. In his debut year, he was still given a free pass, but in Year 2, he got to prove himself by hook or by crook. Will he be successful in flipping the script? A national analyst believes that DeBoer would keep his boat sailing even though the sea would be rough. Recently he doubled down on his take after the Alabama HC came forward with a long injury list.
Well, the past year did catch up with Tuscaloosa with some gloomy feelings. After all, the Crimson Tide finished with its worst regular-season record since 2007 in 2024. Just to brush up your memory, 2007 happened to be Saban’s debut year at Alabama when they finished 7-6. In that case, DeBoer does have some leeway, even though he got the charges of Alabama who were in a better spot than it was when Saban took over. However, here comes some reality check for DeBoer. Among the list of teams with the most to prove in 2025, the Crimson Tide got multiple votes. But so what? 247Sports analyst Brad Crawford believes that DeBoer could do it and is still hoarding some DeBoer stocks.
I said what I said. Two of Alabama’s three SEC toughest games are at home and Kalen DeBoer already has his back against the wall in Year 2.
We’re going to see a different Tide team. @Bama_247 https://t.co/6KRyGdRf72
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) March 4, 2025
On March 5, 247Sports tweeted a part of the analyst’s take on X. The caption read, “Stock is still high for Alabama and Kalen DeBoer according to @BCrawford247 .” What is Crawford’s view about the Alabama HC? “I have not sold all of my DeBoer stock yet. Alabama will win the SEC.” Thinking if that’s not enough, Crawford re-tweeted on his own profile and is in no mood to take back his words. “I said what I said. Two of Alabama’s three SEC toughest games are at home and Kalen DeBoer already has his back against the wall in Year 2. We’re going to see a different Tide team. @Bama_247.”
The games that would require Alabama’s blood, sweat, and tears to win are – Tenneesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores. Let’s get some 2024 recap. The Vols crushed Crimson Tide 24-17 last season while the Commodores too beat them in a 40-35 feat. Even though Crawford has pinned high hopes on the Alabama HC, DeBoer’s Year 2 regime would depend on multiple factors (read: questions).
The most crucial is how will the QB room take shape now that Jalen Milroe is off to the NFL. They now have former 5-star QB Ty Simpson, former 4-star QB Austin Mack, and Texas 5-star Keelon Russell fighting for the QB1 role. However, there are certain things that are beyond the HC’s control.
Spring setbacks for Kalen DeBoer and Crimson Tide
That’s the injury God’s blessings. Well, this season too many Crimson Tide players got blessed with injuries. After their first spring practice of the season, DeBoer faced the press and gave out the long list. He started off with, “I’ll just read off the ones that will be out for the spring.” Now who are the unlucky ones who will have to spend in the wings? They include- punter Alex Asparuhov, long snapper David Bird, receiver Bubba Hampton, and linebacker Fatutoa Henry. Not to forget the notable ones.
Cornerback Domani Jackson, linebacker Deontae Lawson, tight end Danny Lewis Jr., and safety Keon Sabb. The players who will be limited to individual drills are linebacker Justin Jefferson, left tackle Kadyn Proctor, and defensive lineman James Smith. Now was there any touch of panic when DeBoer read out the long injury list? Nope. Rather he said, “Pretty much most of those injuries from last season still and expected. Nothing new there from our standpoint.” Now, let’s come back to the proving part.
Analyst Chris Low had picked the Crimson Tide. Having a history of six national championships makes DeBoer’s seat hotter. As Low noted, “The last thing anybody in and around that Crimson Tide program wants is to go a second straight season without making the College Football Playoff.”
So, folks, the only question remains: Is Kalen DeBoer ready to prove Brad Crawford right by storming the SEC and steering Alabama back to playoff glory?
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