Transfer Portal: Kalen DeBoer Pulls Double Masterstroke Amid Alabama’s Alarming Exodus

Kalen DeBoer failed to leave a mark in his first season at Alabama and finished with a 9-4 record. The new Bama HC even lost the Bowl game to Michigan, a team that had nothing going for it this year. Stepping foot into a program that holds a pristine history of nearly two decades under the wonder man Nick Saban, takes a lot of courage. Of course, DeBoer can point at Saban’s record in his first year in Tuscaloosa. Bama fans would hope for a similar turnaround. DoBoer will probably have more reason to smile as a 2025 roster is showing a crazy smart choice.

Don’t yell at us just yet. We know it seems something idiotic, extraordinary, or absolute nonsense, as the portal has already seen a ton of departures in recent weeks. But come on, believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Kalen DeBoer looks to pull a massive win on the recruitment front

Heading into the offseason, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2025 football roster had two major slumps to deal with: the transfer portal and the NFL draft. Nine players hit the transfer portal following a tragic postseason loss in the Relia Quest Bowl, making the total number of departees 23. One of the most notable among those was right tackle Elijah Pritchett, a key piece in the O-line in all 13 games.

However, amidst all the exits, the Bama squad has some decent recruiting success in the portal. A stand-out three-star prospect out of Harefield Academy in Flowood, Mississippi, London Simmons, made his words official on the early signing day back in December. The defensive lineman took just two days to make up his mind after a fruitful visit to Tuscaloosa back in June. He passed over North Carolina State and Arkansas to join forces with the Tide. Now, adding his own colossal presence to the roster, the kid is actively attracting more talents to the room.

Bralan Womark, Simmons’ former Harefield Academy teammate, noted, ”First off, I’m going to praise London for a second. London was a kid who was getting offers from Sanford, not Stanford. Sanfor mid-major schools, and coaches were saying that they weren’t looking for a guy like him. This kid would play basketball, open gym up and down the court for three hours straight per day until he was where he wanted to be. He cut back on the foods, he had the dedication to change, not many grown-ups can do that in life.” Over his three-year varsity career at Harefield Academy, Simmons put together 229 total tackles, including 67 for loss and 34 sacks, but it is still his intangibles that is beating the drums.

”I was just all over them saying that if they took a chance on him, he would not steer y’all wrong. This is a kid that y’all want. This is a hidden gem. Alabama came up. They saw him, and they absolutely loved him,” Womark couldn’t help praising coach Freddie Roach’s eagle eye.

This is not all. The comments made much more sense for DeBoer and the co because the No. 2. safety in the 2026 class considers Bama as one of his four short-listed schools to jump ship to the collegiate career. Will Simmons’ signing add to his reasons for choosing Bama over the others?

Bralan Womack considers Alabama a major fit for his football future

The five-star safety had a fulfilling record this fall. The 5 ft 11, 185 pounds amassed 11 touchdowns, five receiving yards, one kickoff return, one punt return, and four pick-sixes till late September. His off-the-chart performance earned him the coveted title of the Gatorade Mississippi football player of the year 2024-25 season. No wonder he will be an asset to the Bama lineup, but he has his eyes on Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Tennessee as well.

As long as it is Alabama, the standout safety has a positive outlook. He has made multiple visits to the program. Despite all the brickbats DeBoer received, the five-star recruit seems to be quite impressed with the new coach’s style and adaption.

”They are doing a great job,” he said after his visit earlier this season. “It’s hard to come in and try to reach coach Saban’s greatness, but coach DeBoer hasn’t lost yet, so he and the staff are off to a great start.” Of course, the team has gone on to lose four games since that game.

However, Womack had a long yet significant list of appeal factors that he would strategically consider while making a final call. He needs his team to push his limits every day and help him establish a life outside of football as well. Competition is steep. So, predicting something about his decision will be too farfetched at this point. But Alabama has his full attention, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if London Simmons’ factor does the rest in his favor.