When the GOAT coach Nick Saban stepped away, Alabama football faced a storm of questions. Could the Crimson Tide hold onto their dynasty status without the man who had led them to six national championships? In Kalen DeBoer’s first year at the helm, Alabama posted a 9–4 record, ending a remarkable 16-year streak of winning 10 or more games. Now with a new quarterback, a new offensive coordinator, and key players like Jalen Milroe, Jihaad Campbell, and Tyler Booker moving on to the pros, it feels like the magic of the Saban era is fading fast. Now, 2025 looms large—a season that could reveal whether Alabama can rediscover its old formula or slip into mediocrity.

After Nick Saban’s historic run, Kalen DeBoer stepped into one of the biggest jobs in college football, carrying enormous expectations. Alabama entered the season ranked fifth in both the preseason AP and Coaches Polls, but the results didn’t quite match the lofty standards. Struggles with consistency, missed playoff hopes, and no SEC title raised eyebrows around the program. And now, a national analyst has pointed out two crucial players who could help DeBoer steer Alabama back to its familiar place at the top. The pressure is mounting, and so is the urgency for these rising stars to step up.

On the April 28th episode of The Ruffino & Joe Show, Alabama’s future playoff hopes became a hot topic. Analyst Joe DeLeone gave his take on the Tide’s current situation, saying, “There was going to be some unheralded, not unheralded, but some five-star recruit that was just going to take over, that was going to step up to the plate. There was some freshman that had a big season the year prior that we knew, ‘Oh, this guy, this guy’s up next. He’s going to be the next first-round pick. This is going to be the next Will Anderson. He’s going to be, you know, Bryce Young is going to take them over the top.’ Even in their weakest times in Nick Saban’s last year, they still reached the college football playoff.” DeLeone’s point was clear—even in transition, Alabama’s talent pipeline remains strong. Yet the margin for error without Saban is slimmer than ever.

Joe DeLeone didn’t stop there. He pointed directly to two major strengths Alabama will rely on in 2025. “I feel like there’s two things that I know about this team: I know that they’re returning multiple starting offensive linemen, Kadyn Proctor, Parker Brailsford, who are important players, and I know that they have one of the best receivers in the country, led by, orchestrated by Ryan Grubb, who is a brilliant offensive coordinator.”

With the massive Proctor (6 foot 7, 369 pounds) anchoring the offensive line at tackle—a true Saban gem—and Brailsford at center following DeBoer, these returning key blockers, paired with an elite receiving group, could be DeBoer’s lifeline as he tackles the immense pressure at Alabama.

Still, the questions aren’t just about talent. Alabama’s hiring of Kalen DeBoer—one of the brightest offensive minds in college football—was a clear shift from the Saban defensive blueprint. Under DeBoer’s leadership at Washington, the Huskies’ offense lit up the scoreboard, finishing No. 2 nationally by averaging 41 points per game in 2023. If DeBoer can replicate even a portion of that production, Alabama’s offense could be dangerous.

But one major concern lingers: the defense. Last season, inconsistency plagued the Tide on that side of the ball. While the offense found moments of rhythm, the defense at times struggled to hold leads or make key stops. Heading into 2025, the big unknown is whether the defense can rebound and support what should be an explosive attack.

Another major piece of the puzzle? Quarterback play. As DeLeone pointed out, “And their current quarterback situation enough for them to bounce back and take a step forward from the inconsistencies of Jalen Milroe.” With Ty Simpson stepping in, and talented newcomers like Keelon Russell and Austin Mack adding depth, Alabama’s quarterback room looks more stable than it did a year ago. For DeBoer, finding a reliable signal-caller is crucial. A consistent leader under center could be the key to turning Alabama back into a playoff force. Meanwhile, DeBoer remains focused on the future…..

Alabama’s redemption mission under Kalen DeBoer

On The Will Cain Show on FOX News, Kalen DeBoer shared his mindset heading into 2025. “I’m just disappointed we didn’t do what we needed to do to get in last year,” DeBoer admitted. He added, “Our focus now is to make sure we do everything right this offseason to guarantee a spot, no matter how many teams are in.” That drive for redemption fuels everything the Crimson Tide are building toward this offseason. But can they do it this 2025 season?

Well, another positive for Alabama is the strong bond between DeBoer and offensive coaches Ryan Grubb and Nick Sheridan. Sheridan is stepping back from play-calling but will continue coaching quarterbacks. DeBoer expressed his excitement about Sheridan’s new role, suggesting that the dynamic between Grubb and Sheridan could be a critical advantage. Whether or not Sheridan holds a co-OC title officially, the familiarity and chemistry within the staff are viewed as big pluses heading into the fall.

Still, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Analysts like Paul Finebaum have warned that anything short of a playoff appearance in 2025 could cast serious doubt over DeBoer’s long-term future in Tuscaloosa. With one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, improved depth, and refined coaching dynamics, Alabama has the pieces in place. But now it’s about execution.

Alabama’s path back to the playoff is clear—on paper. They’ve got some tough away games at Florida State, Georgia, and a few others, plus a solid home slate. But the big question is, can they actually make it happen when the lights are on, the crowd’s going wild, and with the shadow of Saban still hanging over everything?