Alabama football has climbed significantly in at least one post-spring Top 25 ranking, largely thanks to its success during the spring Transfer Portal window — where the Tide didn’t lose a single scholarship player.
It was a productive spring under new head coach Kalen DeBoer. Despite carrying over several injuries from last season, Alabama was able to give valuable reps to younger players, helping to build depth across the roster. There was also some movement in the quarterback competition, with Ty Simpson emerging as the current frontrunner.
Most notably, Alabama managed to retain every scholarship player through the spring Transfer Portal period, something that has caught the attention of many in the media. This is seen as a sign of a positive cultural shift in Tuscaloosa under DeBoer’s leadership. With his staff, players, and overall vision now in place, the team’s level of buy-in appears to be strong.
On paper, Alabama looks like a complete team. There’s talent across every position group. If Simpson — or another quarterback — can deliver solid play, the Crimson Tide has the makings of a national championship contender. The roster is loaded at running back and wide receiver, features a strong (though slightly thin at tackle) offensive line, and boasts a defense stacked with returning starters from a unit that finished in the Top 10 nationally last season.
Another key factor is the coaching continuity Alabama now enjoys — something that was lacking during last year’s transition from Nick Saban to DeBoer.
National analysts are beginning to take notice. Andy Staples of On3, who had Alabama ranked No. 14 in his initial post-season “way-too-early” Top 25, bumped the Tide up to No. 7 in his latest rankings following the close of the spring portal window.
In Staples’ updated list, Alabama checks in at No. 7 overall, trailing only No. 1 Texas among SEC teams. The Longhorns, led by Arch Manning stepping in at quarterback, are currently viewed as the early favorites to win the national title next season.
A big season on the horizon for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama
There’s no sugarcoating it — Kalen DeBoer’s first year as Alabama’s head coach fell short of expectations. Some of that may have been inevitable given the enormous pressure that comes with replacing the greatest coach in college football history, but in Tuscaloosa, the bar is always high.
Finishing 9-4 and missing out on the expanded College Football Playoff simply wasn’t acceptable. If Alabama were to repeat that result in 2025, it would spell trouble for DeBoer. However, that scenario seems unlikely.
This year’s Alabama squad is talented enough to seriously contend for both an SEC title and a national championship. At a minimum, a playoff berth should be the standard expectation. Much will hinge on quarterback play, but with three capable options on the roster, it’s likely someone will step up and successfully lead DeBoer and Ryan Grubb’s offense.
Another disappointing season would almost certainly spark hot seat rumors around DeBoer. But if he can elevate Alabama into true title contention in year two, the narrative will shift dramatically — and Tide fans will begin to fully embrace him as the right successor to Nick Saban.
