Nick Saban just proved that the Alabama Crimson Tide is about to start fall camp in a spot it hasn’t been in years
Alabama has gone from being the hunter to being completely discounted ahead of the 2026 season. But if you ask Nick Saban, that could play into Alabama’s advantage when everyone least expects it in 2026.
The Alabama Crimson Tide opens fall camp today, and former coach Nick Saban had a pointed message about where the program stands heading into the 2026 season. Speaking at an event yesterday, Saban addressed Alabama’s No. 6 ranking in the SEC media preseason poll.
“Hopefully we can sneak up on some people this year and fly under the radar a little bit and surprise some people and not be the target for everyone as we have been in the past,” Saban said.”
Sixth. That’s where the SEC media slotted Alabama. Having been at SEC Media Days myself, I can tell you the Crimson Tide were largely an afterthought. That could cut both ways. The bad side is obvious: what happened against Indiana in the Rose Bowl, where Alabama got its doors blown off, left a mark on the program’s perception. But the good side matters too, because it means a lot of people are discounting this team.
The quarterback question shouldn’t scare anyone
The truth is, the biggest storyline when camp opens today is what happens at the quarterback position. People are looking around and saying it’s going to be a new starter in Tuscaloosa. It’s going to be Austin Mack. It’s going to be a true freshman in Keelon Russell. And how good can either one of those guys really be?
Well, if that’s your case for why Alabama won’t contend for a national championship in 2026, you should probably check Kalen DeBoer’s resume.
Say what you want about DeBoer so far as Alabama’s head coach. It hasn’t been a problem at the quarterback position. He developed Jalen Milroe into a mid-round pick when Milroe looked like he was going to go undrafted before that. Ty Simpson just went 13th overall in the NFL Draft. Michael Penix, who can’t even crack the field for the Atlanta Falcons, was a top-10 pick because of what DeBoer did with him at Washington.
Whoever ends up as Alabama’s starting quarterback is going to be just fine.
The real concerns lie elsewhere
There are legitimate questions surrounding this roster. The offensive line is in flux. The skill position grouping is getting a makeover, to say the least. The defense has significant turnover in the front seven, with a wave of new portal additions who need to gel quickly.
Those are the areas worth watching closely when camp gets rolling. But if Alabama falters in 2026, it’s not going to be because of the quarterback position. DeBoer has earned that benefit of the doubt.
Flying under the radar might be a blessing
In my opinion, Saban’s comments about flying under the radar could be the best thing possible for the Crimson Tide. Alabama has spent the better part of two decades walking into every game with a target on its back. A season where the program gets to operate outside the spotlight, where the pressure of being the hunted lifts even slightly, could give DeBoer and his staff the breathing room they need to develop a new-look roster.
Don’t sleep on Alabama just because the quarterback is new. DeBoer has made a career out of elevating signal-callers, and there’s no reason to believe 2026 will be any different.
