Junior Adams is heading to the Dallas Cowboys, and now Dan Lanning is in scramble mode. But the real shock? This could spell trouble for Alabama and Kalen DeBoer. Right now, Lanning needs a WR coach fast, and according to ROC Football Boys Podcast, JaMarcus Shephard’s name is heating up. Shephard, Alabama’s current WR coach, was a key part of DeBoer’s Washington staff. DeBoer handpicked him for Tuscaloosa, but now, Oregon’s void might lure him away. And if that happens? An SEC insider just dropped a bombshell — losing Shephard this late in the cycle would be a brutal blow for DeBoer, leaving the Tide scrambling at a crucial moment.

And why not? Shephard worked magic with Washington’s wide receivers. With playmakers like McMillan, he helped build one of the most electric WR rooms in the nation. His track record speaks for itself. But now, the pressure is mounting. And it’s not just about Oregon’s interest—it’s about what an SEC insider just dropped on Kalen DeBoer. The verdict? Brutal.

In a recent episode of That SEC Football Podcast, SEC Mike and Cousin Shane broke down their top five SEC programs for 2025. But in the middle of the discussion, Mike dropped a bombshell about Kalen DeBoer and the state of Alabama football. “I still think Alabama has that mystique, even though they got a lame-a– AD who’s trying to ruin sports. I’m not sold on this coach, but I think next year could be a big bounce-back. It better be, otherwise, heads are going to start rolling,” Mike said. A bold take, but with Alabama’s dynasty on shaky ground, the pressure is real. DeBoer has no room for error.

Under DeBoer, Alabama’s performance has been a mixed bag. The Crimson Tide still carry the weight of their legendary dynasty, but the dominance that once struck fear into opponents seems to be slipping. Last season’s four-loss campaign was unheard of during the Nick Saban era, making it clear that the transition hasn’t been seamless. The Tide had moments of brilliance, but inconsistency plagued their season.

And Mike didn’t stop there. He doubled down on his take, putting Alabama’s current state under the microscope. “I still think Alabama is the greatest dynasty of all time, but they’ve certainly taken a huge step down. Losing four games last year? That’s unheard of. I don’t believe Nick Saban ever did that, short of his first year there. But I still think Alabama is the second-best program in the SEC,” he said. A fall from grace? Maybe. But even in a ‘down’ year, the Tide still commands respect. Now, it’s up to DeBoer to prove they belong back on top.

But here’s the twist — while Mike put DeBoer’s Alabama in the top two, his co-host Cousin Shane wasn’t buying it. He had plenty of reasons to disagree. “I disagree — and I disagree for a couple of reasons. One, I felt like last year, even though they were kind of that fringe playoff team, I never really felt like they were in it. Especially after that Oklahoma game, it was like, this ain’t the Bama I grew up watching. This ain’t Nick Saban’s crew,” Shane said. For him, the magic was gone. The dominance? Fading. And in a ruthless SEC, there’s no room for nostalgia — only results.

However, it’s not exactly fair to judge DeBoer too harshly just yet. SEC coaches often need a couple of years to get their recruits in and establish their system. Although this was always going to be a special task, DeBoer entered a program that was loaded with top recruiting classes and talent from prior seasons.

Consequently, Shane spoke freely, stating, “I don’t know, man—I expected more from the Tide last year. Especially after winning that Georgia game, and after that, it was a whole bunch of I can’t believe they lost that one or I can’t believe they barely won that one. That’s how I viewed Alabama. So right now, because this ain’t 2023, this ain’t 2022 — this is 2025 — I do not think Alabama belongs at No. 2. I think they should be top five, but I’d probably have them closer to the five spot.” Currently, being “closer to the five spot” is not what Alabama supporters want to hear from a program that is accustomed to winning.

However, Oregon’s trajectory under Dan Lanning is reaching new heights, while Alabama’s future appears uncertain and far from living up to fan expectations.

Oregon Ducks’ future with Dan Lanning

Analysts are optimistic about the Ducks’ chances of winning a title, despite the fact that OSU boat-raced them in the 2024 CFP Quarterfinal. During Monday’s broadcast of The Hard Count, J.D. Pickell reaffirmed his belief in Dan Lanning’s team. In addition to forecasting victory, he boldly declared, “Lanning will win a national title before it’s all said and done.” In addition to having a promising future, Oregon is headed for a championship.

Pickell also highlighted Oregon’s consistent growth, emphasizing that Lanning is only beginning. He said, “Dan Lanning, every year at Oregon as the head coach, steadily just increases in terms of what they do on the field. More wins every single year. When you look at the trend, who’s to say that Dan Lanning has peaked at Oregon just yet? Who’s to say he’s peaked as a head coach? He’s still new to this.”

But DeBoer isn’t just sitting around doing nothing; he’s actually taking action. After a difficult season, Bama recently made a huge decision by appointing Ryan Grubb as their new OC. The intriguing aspect? Grubb, the offensive coordinator and QBs coach from 2022 to 2023, was an important member of DeBoer’s illustrious Washington staff. They guided the Huskies to a potential national championship together. One thing is certain: DeBoer is keeping his inner circle close and preparing for a comeback. The connection is already there, and Nick Sheridan and JaMarcus Shephard are also involved.

It will be interesting to see Oregon’s and Alabama’s positions in 2025.