Former Colorado QB Snubs Nick Saban to Surprisingly Brand Kalem Deboer as the “Tiger Woods” of College Football

We all know who Tiger Woods is; The man, the myth, the legend, one of the GOATs of golf. Known for his amazing detail towards his game with his name on the World Golf Hall of Fame and multiple PGA tour wins from 1997 to 2013, he definitely left his mark on this big ocean called sports. But you know who can be the next Tiger Woods of college football? Well, our former Colorado QB and now college sports analyst Joel Klatt definitely has a pick.

In a candid interview on The Next Round Live, Klatt explained who he thinks mirrors Tiger Woods. His pick for the title might shock some people, but some fans might also end up agreeing with Klatt.

Klatt’s thoughts on who could be the next Tiger Woods for college football

On June 28, Joel Klatt joined Jim Dunaway on The Next Round to discuss his views on the well-known coach Kalen DeBoer and the state of Alabama football. “What I love about Kalen [DeBoer] is that he’s got a little Tiger Woods in him,” Klatt remarked. “I’m not trying to say he is the GOAT, but the reason I said Kalen would be such a great hire is because, you know, Tiger used to talk about ‘I need to be technically proficient at my craft but I also need to learn how to be great at winning,’ which is why he was great at winning. Kalen is competitively proficient. This guy wins at an insanely high level everywhere.” Klatt’s comparison hinges on DeBoer’s dual mastery of technical proficiency and competitive success, much like Woods’ legendary career in golf. Woods won 82 PGA Tour events, including 15 major championships, demonstrating his dominance in the sport. In the same way, DeBoer has also managed to make quite a name for himself. From a wide receiver at the University of Sioux Falls to becoming the head coach and leading the team to three NAIA National Championships in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

Furthermore, the conversation also touched on Alabama’s strengths and potential challenges for the upcoming season. Klatt praised Alabama’s offensive line, stating, “Alabama has the 2 best offensive lines in the country. Those 2 are gonna be really good.” However, he also noted some concerns regarding their defensive backs, especially with strong quarterbacks returning to rival teams like Georgia and Texas. However, why Kalen DeBoer? What different things did he do that made Klatt brand him as the “Tiger Woods” of College Football? Is he the only one deserving of the title?

Could there be someone else?

Another name that could be deserved for the brand by Klatt is Lincoln Riley. Riley has coached two Heisman Trophy winners—Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray—during his tenure at Oklahoma. Both quarterbacks went on to become the first overall picks in their respective NFL drafts, showcasing Riley’s talent for grooming top-tier talent. Since moving to USC, Riley has continued to attract top recruits, solidifying his reputation as an offensive genius. That’s not all, though, there’s one more coach out there.

Ryan Day at Ohio State. Day has been instrumental in maintaining Ohio State’s dominance in the Big Ten and nationally. He has developed star quarterbacks like Justin Fields, who became a first-round NFL draft pick. Under Day’s leadership, Ohio State consistently fields one of the top offenses in college football.

However, what sets DeBoer apart is his consistent ability to turn around struggling programs. The former safety coach, Chuck Morrell, Fresno State, also gave his opinion about DeBoer. “What we’ve been able to accomplish as a group under Kalen’s guidance, it’s really lightning in a bottle,” he explained in an interview with ESPN, highlighting DeBoer’s ability to bring the best of teams. This is not all though, DeBoer’s recruiting capabilities are also something to take note of. DeBoer was heavily involved in landing 5-star wide receiver Jalen Hale, a fast and diverse player for Alabama’s offense. DeBoer’s amazing rise and ability to bring back the energy into so many teams certifies him as being capable of carrying Nick Saban’s crown. Alabama fans can rest well knowing that he can take the team to great heights.