Alabama football’s 2024 season was a disappointment when judged by the “Bama standard.” However, there’s still hope for head coach Kalen DeBoer, provided he makes the right decisions moving forward. The critical question facing the Crimson Tide is who will step up as the next quarterback.
Blake Toppmeyer of USA Today Network believes that DeBoer’s solution to the quarterback dilemma will be pivotal in determining the program’s success in 2025.
“The key question – and it’s a biggie – is how Alabama will fill its quarterback opening,” Toppmeyer writes.
DeBoer already has a deep quarterback room, including Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and highly touted freshman Keelon Russell. One of them is expected to become the Crimson Tide’s next starter, with Simpson and Russell being the leading contenders as the offseason begins.
Toppmeyer also highlights Alabama’s formidable strength of schedule as an advantage. Despite a three-loss season, the College Football Playoff committee nearly gave them a playoff spot due to their tough schedule.
“It will boast a sturdy schedule strength again in 2025, upping its at-large qualification chances. Now, consider the schedule in which Alabama will play host for swing games against Tennessee, LSU, and Oklahoma,” Toppmeyer explains.
Another solid foundation for DeBoer is his excellent recruiting ability.
According to USA Today, Alabama’s 2025 class is ranked No. 4 nationally and includes three five-star recruits. With the addition of Miami transfer Isaiah Horton, DeBoer has crafted a well-rounded roster.
Ultimately, the choice of who DeBoer selects as his QB1, between Russell and Simpson, will be the defining factor in whether his second season at Tuscaloosa is a success or another letdown.
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Paul Finebaum voices significant concerns about the SEC’s future after Nick Saban’s departure from Alabama football
Nick Saban was widely acknowledged as the greatest head coach in college football history upon his retirement, and his departure from Alabama left a significant void. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum discussed the impact of Saban’s absence on the SEC, noting that it affected the entire program this season, to the point where they couldn’t even remain competitive in the College Football Playoff.
“From 2009 to 2020, Nick Saban played, was in the National Championship game nine times. That is a big deal,” Finebaum remarked on the Matt Barrie Show.
“Kirby Smart was supposed to take the sport over. He didn’t. And now that we look at it, the Nick Saban era in College Football. I think it was more about Nick Saban than it was about the SEC. It was really about Saban.”
“It’s only been a year and ten days since Saban retired, but it does feel like a lifetime,” he added.
Matt Barrie, Finebaum’s co-analyst, emphasized the importance of moving forward without Saban, despite the lingering impact of the “Bama Standard” greatness.
“It’s year two of DeBoer. Now the aftershocks of Saban are gone and now it’s Kalen DeBoer’s program. How will College Football sit in this new world order post Nick Saban for the next ten years? To me, that’s one of the more fascinating storylines in this game,” Barrie observed.
Setting aside comparisons to the best head coach in college football history, DeBoer performed admirably in his first year as head coach of a storied program like Alabama.
The Crimson Tide came incredibly close to securing a spot in the College Football Playoff, with their exclusion sparking significant controversy despite several losses to mid-tier teams.
This in itself speaks volumes about DeBoer’s performance.
However, it wasn’t enough to achieve ultimate success, particularly in the larger context of competing for a National Championship while adhering to the “Bama Standard.” DeBoer still has a long way to go in that regard.
