You can bet Nick Saban‘s got a grin on his face today. After handing the reins to Kalen DeBoer in 2024, well, let’s just say the transition for the debut head coach stepping into those massive shoes didn’t exactly go as planned. Things kind of spiraled. Forget getting close to the Natty; DeBoer’s boys failed to make it to the College Football Playoff. But this season, right from spring itself, things have started to look good in Tuscaloosa. The showstoppers are DeBoer’s big trio, who turned heads with their on-field antics during the spring game. This has been enough of a warning for 15 SEC rivals to keep a safe distance. 

Alabama football held its modified A-Day spring practice on Saturday, April 12. Instead of the traditional format, DeBoer opted for 19 practice periods after their final spring scrimmage on Thursday. While they focused on 7-on-7 drills, fans did get a taste of “real” football by the end of practice. Beyond that, Alabama fans were excited to see many freshmen taking charge on the field. Quarterback Keelon Russell was a notable presence, making some nice plays but also throwing an interception—something of a buzz was expected around him in DeBoer’s squad. However, it was his wide receiver room that truly stole the show.

Are these some early signs from the universe hinting at how DeBoer is going to land in the playoffs by hook or by crook? More than others, it’s the receiving corps in Tuscaloosa who are making the most noise. After their final spring scrimmage, WR Germie Bernard sounded an alarm on how they are one of the best in the country. “No doubt. Most definitely. We’ve got all the attributes in the room. Everybody can do everything.” They come off as the best package with speed, strength, blocking, and catching prowess. Following Bernard’s praise, another endorsement came straight from analyst Clint Lamb.

On April 12, he tweeted, “Oh btw, Kalen DeBoer, JaMarcus Shephard and company CRUSHED their WR evals this offseason. Isaiah Horton, Lotzeir Brooks AND Derek Meadows are all gonna be dudes. Really impressed by all three today.” 

Remember when Isaiah Horton transferred from Miami? Questions followed him—not about his athleticism or potential as a pass catcher, but about his blocking. With the spring practice, he was able to zip up his haters. On A-Day, his height and athleticism were on display, making impressive high-point catches over multiple defenders. And what about the rest? Hype meter was high for the 2025 class WR Lotzeir Brooks throughout the spring. On Saturday, he showed why.

The speedster from New Jersey was underthrown by Austin Mack during the 7-on-7 portion of practice. That’s when he rallied and came up with a brilliant catch, making his body control, speed, and quickness do all the talking. Then comes the Nevada native Derek Meadows. 

The 6’5” and 208-pounder showed how he has been God-given when it comes to his physical skills. While he made several impressive catches, the highlight moment came during the final moments of the practice. Ty Simpson escaped pressure in 11-on-11 drills and found Meadows over the middle for around a 15-yard gain. While the Crimson Tide gang proves themselves, DeBoer gets to savor some heavy praise from the best.

Crimson Tide captains rally behind Kalen DeBoer

Well, it’s true that the pressure got the better of DeBoer as he failed to live up to Saban’s standards. The 2024 season was definitely not their best. They wrapped up with a 9-4 record, topped with a loss in the ReliaQuest Bowl. But so what? He is still the hero in Crimson Tide’s captains’ eyes. The 2024 Crimson Tide captains, Jalen Milroe, Tyler Booker, Deontae Lawson, and Malachi Moore, spoke to fans beneath Denny Chimes. What made them clap loudly for DeBoer? His leadership. 

Booker shared, “Want to say thank you to coach DeBoer for just coming in and having the pride and self-confidence to follow up the greatest of all time. I’m very excited to see what you do with the team for the rest of these years.” Quite surprising, right? That’s because Booker and the other captains were all holdovers from the Saban era. In the group, Lawson is the lone returning captain for the 2025 season. He, too, turned up to hype DeBoer a bit more.  

“Big shoutout to coach DeBoer man. When he came in, me and these guys, we took everything he said and tried to (impart) it to our teammates. And the year didn’t go how we expected, but so excited to come back for another year and can’t wait to see you all in Bryant-Denny next year.” After a successful spring game and basking in all the hype comes great news for Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama.

Hayes Fawcett of On3 broke the latest recruiting news, mentioning that class of 2026 EDGE Kamhariyan Johnson has committed to Alabama. After the storm, DeBoer’s got sunshine. Touchwood!