SEC expert sets massive expectation for Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer in 2025
The Alabama Crimson Tide struggled with consistency and identity throughout Kalen DeBoer's first season. Their 9-4 record was well below program standards, and the seat already seems to be getting warm for DeBoer. After bringing in offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and landing the nation's fourth-best recruiting class, the Tide are reloading quite a bit. Last […]
The Alabama Crimson Tide struggled with consistency and identity throughout Kalen DeBoer's first season. Their 9-4 record was well below program standards, and the seat already seems to be getting warm for DeBoer.
After bringing in offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and landing the nation's fourth-best recruiting class, the Tide are reloading quite a bit. Last year's team was young and lacked the high-end star power that everyone had gotten used to during Nick Saban's reign. The development of NIL certainly factored into that.
Expectations are being set even higher for DeBoer even after losing Jalen Milroe to the NFL. SEC Unfiltered host Cole Thompson laid out his reasoning as to why 11-12 wins should be the expectation for Alabama in 2025.
Thompson equated Grubb's presence to being a perfect babysitter and insurance policy. He talked about Grubb's ability to step in for DeBoer when off-field assignments are being tended to be a necessity. He argues that the pairing of DeBoer and Grubb is what fans in Tuscaloosa want to see.
Of course, still having Nick Sheridan and Jamarcus Shephard around is good for their growth and continuity as well. However, it's Grubb who elevates the unit because of his chemistry with DeBoer and his experience.
Thompson also alluded to having the right quarterback for Alabama's scheme. There's no question Milroe didn't fit the vertical attack DeBoer and Grubb favor. But will Ty Simpson or Keelon Russell be a better fit?
We've done a deep dive into that before, and you should check it out.
What Alabama and Kalen DeBoer can do at quarterback after Jalen Milroe's NFL Draft decision
Jalen Milroe is off to the 2025 NFL Draft as expected, wasting little time in announcing his decision after Alabama's shocking loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide likely aren't surprised, even considering Milroe's struggles throughout 2024. His decision seemed to come down to transferring or declaring for the […]
If either proves to be better, it still seems hard to fathom that this Alabama team is ready to reach 12 wins. The return of LT Overton and some other NFL-caliber players will help, but the lack of playmaking on offense and in the secondary is glaring.
Barring a big breakout from this freshmen class, the Tide might be closer to a team I'd set at 10.5 wins than 11.5.
