Happy Thursday, everyone. Both Kalen DeBoer and Nick Saban participated in yesterday’s Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament. DeBoer spoke briefly about the QB competition.
“They know that a year ago there was so much improvement by all of them, and I think that was, even with Ty (Simpson), going from the spring to the fall, he came back and made another big jump,” DeBoer said. “That’s what I would expect out of these guys. As good as they did and as nice a job that they had performing this spring, I’d expect for them to take another big leap here in the summer.
“They’re going to work hard. You’re never going to question that. They’re early morning guys, in there early. They’re real pros, much like the other guys that have been here in this program that have done the same thing.”
The mic always finds Saban. He gave his thoughts on DeBoer’s extension and any silly rumors of his return to coaching.
Nick Saban met with reporters before playing in the Regions Tradition Pro-Am and the topic of DeBoer’s contract came up.
“I think coaching is a competitive field, just like just like playing is a competitive field,” Saban said. “And I think Kalen’s had a lot of opportunity and I think if Alabama wanted to keep him, they needed to do what they needed to do to keep him. I’m happy he’s the coach.”
“I miss coaching a little bit. I miss the relationships with the players. I miss the competition. But it’s a trade off,” Saban said in comments to Paul Finebaum.
Any prospect of taking a job somewhere would likely have to involve Mrs. Saban coming along, but the former Alabama coach says that’s not happening.
“When people call, alls I can tell all the fans out there is Miss Terry says if you take a job, you’re commuting. She’s not moving. She’s not leaving the grandkids. She’s not leaving any of that,” Saban added.
So can we take that as a no on a Saban comeback? “No, that’s probably right.”
Brandon Marcello of CBS has Alabama 14th on his post-spring ranking.
Alabama is positioned to outperform the top 25’s expectations, but offseason developments have reduced confidence in the Tide heading into Kalen DeBoer’s third season. NC State running back Hollywood Smothers reneged on his transfer commitment, opting instead for Texas. The quarterback position is still up for grabs, though it appears Keelon Russell has the edge over Austin Mack. DeBoer is an elite coach, but it’s still nearly impossible to match the standard still bleeding over from the Nick Saban era
Last, ESPN lists transfer LB Caleb Woodson as Alabama’s “under the radar” player.
Under-the-radar player: LB Caleb Woodson. “Under the radar” may not describe Woodson, because there should be hype around him coming into 2026. He was a key contributor on Brent Pry’s defense at Virginia Tech for three seasons, and he’s just a damn good athlete. He used to be a year-round competitive swimmer, starting at the age of 6 and continuing until he was 14. He originally played wide receiver, and decided to switch to defense because when he was going to football camps in his youth, the wide receiver and defensive back lines were long. He’s willing to do what needs to be done on the field and should fit in nicely at Alabama. — Harry Lyles Jr.
That’s about it for now. Have a great day.
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