Walking off the field after Alabama football’s first practice of the spring, Kalen DeBoer instantly turned the conversation to what he feels is most important heading into 2025: the players who decided to return, the voices he expects to be strongest in the locker room even without those clear, commanding, “over-the-top” voices that defined his first Crimson Tide season a year ago.
“I think all of them working together and just kind of picking each other up on top of themselves, I think it’s in a good spot,” DeBoer said.
Experience is something Alabama will need, especially with a high-profile road matchup against a Florida State team looking for vengeance to kick off 2025. But then again, experience isn’t the end all, be all.
Freshmen were on the field in high-profile moments in 2024: Ryan Williams and Zabien Brown, both first-year players who rarely left the field.
The same could be said about certain members of Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class and its share of highly-touted freshmen, including three five starts who are already generating buzz after one week on the spring practice field.
Who could Alabama see in those Williams and Brown roles next fall? DeBoer, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb seemingly gave a preview.
Keelon Russell trending in right direction for Alabama football
Mar 5, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Quarterback Keelon Russell (12) works a drill during Spring Practice for the Crimson Tide.
Both things can be true: Keelon Russell is one of the most talented freshman quarterbacks DeBoer has ever seen. And that he has a long way to go.
It’s how DeBoer said Russell looks at it too, that he hasn’t arrived, but plans to continue to grow through spring as a strong-looking, all-around athlete of a quarterback who has already taken advantage of the offseason weight program, gaining…
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