Kalen DeBoer is one lucky man when it comes to coaching! Stepping into the GREAT Nick Saban’s role is a huge task in itself. And just when DeBoer thought that he had managed it well and came up with moving to South Florida to mere specks of dust, it was time for the new HC to get worried a little.

After all, his players’ roster got plagued by back-to-back injuries. And here, their prodigy Tyler Booker arrives as a knight in shining armor to save DeBoer and his tribe. The current injury updates made the HC trust the player. 

Kalen DeBoer’s early panic was eased by Tyler Booker

Already DeBoer is carrying the burden on his shoulders to fill in the shoes of someone as big as GOAT Nick Saban. While he counted on his players to help me soar high in his debut year as a coach, the injury updates were meant to keep DeBoer grounded. Before Alabama had the chance of hitting the gridiron facing Western Kentucky for the season opener, their star offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor fell prey to a shoulder injury. This was enough for DeBoer to go into panic mode. But not anymore, as long as lineman Booker is here.   

The player comes up as the ultimate savior as his voice oozed confidence when during the press meet he assured, “I’m a ballplayer, man. You could put me guard, tackle, center, tight end, receiver. Wherever you need me, I’m gonna play ball and I’m gonna do it to the best of my ability.” This is something that had been playing in the back of Booker’s mind for quite a long time now. However, it was on the morning of September 10 that the confirmation dropped in from DeBoer who was already perturbed with the injury scene in the Tuscaloosa hood. 

Kalen DeBoer remains positive amidst the injury fiasco

DeBoer started the season well as the Crimson Tide came up with a heroic 42-16 win over South Florida on September 7. However, it was too soon for the program to celebrate as during the face-off, three of their players got injured. At the start of the fourth quarter, WR-cum-punt returner, Cole Adams, while catching a pass off to the ride side, stumbled and fell on his own hand. What decision did DeBoer come up with regarding the athlete who put the program first-and-goal at the 5-yard line?

“We’ll see how he goes through the week. We won’t rule him out, but he’ll probably be very limited early,” promised the HC. Then there is Alabama right tackle Elijah Pritchett who was out of Alabama’s dominant fourth quarter. But as DeBoer comes with a new update, it seems that things are looking positive for Pritchett. “Thursday, a little limited. More limited on Wednesday. Felt okay about him being out there, felt good about him being out there. He came in and did a nice job,” confirmed the HC on September 9.

Now all eyes are on Tyler Booker to hold the reins and help the Crimson Tide get back to action. Definitely, there have been some loopholes that allowed four sacks against South Florida and committed nine penalties with two negating touchdowns. However, Kalen DeBoer might have enough reasons to count on Booker. Let’s see if the HC’s trusted one can keep the Crimson Tide boat afloat!