When Kalen DeBoer signed up to succeed none other than the acclaimed legend Nick Saban, he knew that he was taking a bullet on his back all on purpose. But he didn’t back off. Ever since, The former Washington coach has dealt with many frowns, question marks, and pointed attacks on his inability to match up to the level of Saban. He didn’t answer, but his failed season did. As the season progressed, Alabama brutally came up short in delivering. Missed a playoff seat, a bowl game defeat, a 9-4 season, the worst record since Nick Saban’s first year with the Crimson Tide back in 2007, and last but not least, the severe outflow in the portal cornered DeBoer-like anything.

But wait- we have some good news for Bama fans- all thanks to a player that wrecked havoc on the Crimson Tide during the regular season.

Kalen DeBoer looks to reap the benefit of a huge NCAA paradigm shift

Of course, Diego Pavia needs no introduction to the Bama faithful. If they didn’t know him before this season, that game in Vanderbilt helped. Pavia ran through the Bama defense and then ran some more, dealing them one of the heaviest defeats the program has ever seen. A loss to an unranked team. However, we are not recapping that. This time around, Pavia has helped the Tide. All because of him clinched a ruling against the collegiate eligibility rules from the federal court.

Kalen DeBoer is already seeking to make the best out of the ruling. Amid a wave of players moving to the portal, DeBoer has a slim silver lining. Linebacker Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson announced a glad riding for the coach and veterans alike amidst the mess.

”Deontae Lawson, I thought he was out of eligibility, did a show and somebody slid and said, hey, you mentioned Deontae Lawson, who got hurt again. But when he’s out there, really good player, well, he’s coming back so excited to have him back. I think that’s a good thing for Alabama and hope that he is able to return healthy,” spilled insider Mick Gillispie. The kid couldn’t thank his school enough for being the best house one could ever have, with all the triggers and glimmers in the last four years. He mentioned Alabama feels like a second home, and he could never think of settling for any less than a national championship in the coming years.

The Butkus Award semifinalist would not get another year under his belt if Diego, the trailblazer of the Commodores, hadn’t paved the way. But Lawson won’t be alone in availing the extra year out of his tenure. Seasoned linebacker Justin Jefferson will potentially join him in the race.

”

There’s a chance that Justin Jefferson, the linebacker, is going to be at Alabama and heard that, you know, because of Diego over at Vanderbilt who has a kind of been the Pique Piper of Juco guys getting more eligibility now. That means that Justin Jefferson has more eligibility and he is coming back to Alabama so, that is a really big piece of news for Alabama,’‘ Gillispie unfolded another ace in the hole for the Bamas.

However, 

Kalen DeBoer’s constant losing streak over the portal remains a massive chip on the shoulder.

Transfer portal volatility adds to Kalen DeBoer’s worst season woes 

The traditional football juggernaut has already lost over 19 players in the portal. The costliest recruits to transfer include running back Justice Haynes, linebacker Keanu Koht and wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson. Another name added to the list late on Saturday. Starting Alabama offensive tackle Elijah Pritchett declared that he is all set to hit the transfer portal. You can put the blame on Alabama’s crushing loss to Michigan earlier in the week for the excessive walkout. Pritchett suited up for 13 games for over 600 snaps in the year for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide.

On the other hand, a hoard of players also left to widen their eyes on the NFL. Tyler Booker has already declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, leaving the left guard position in severe jeopardy.

As per veteran SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum, DeBoer is on a scorching hot seat and will not have any option to go slow in the next season. He already busted a year and can’t afford another if he wants to save his job at all.

“Kalen DeBoer needs to be very careful,” Finebaum said. “If he doesn’t make the playoffs next year, the target on his back will be immense.”

It remains to be seen if Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson make things any better for the Alabama head coach on watch.