Why Kalen DeBoer feels ‘very comfortable’ putting five-star freshman on field

Syndication: Tuscaloosa News Aug. 3, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama defensive back Dijon Lee Jr. (5) guards London Hill as they run a drill during practice Sunday at the University of Alabama.

Alabama football is expected to put Dijon Lee on the field quite often as a true freshman during the 2025 season.

Lee is a former five-star recruit, who signed with Alabama football as a member of its 2025 recruiting class. He has continued to impress since turning heads in the spring, despite being a true freshman.

The Crimson Tide’s head coach Kalen DeBoer shared his confidence in Lee during his Monday press conference ahead of the Alabama’s season opener against Florida State.

“You have no problem putting him out there on the football field,” DeBoer said. “There is a maturity. I use that with Ty (Simpson), Parker (Brailsford) and our team, but there’s a maturity that a freshman has, and I felt like Zabian Brown had that last year, and there’s other guys too, but there’s specifically focus on Dijon, he’s had that, even just when he doesn’t even know what he doesn’t know in spring ball, there’s something about his presence and just the way he is. It’s not about being as tall or anything, it’s just about the confidence to go out there and play, and I know that’s all part of it. You got to have the skill set, and he’s just done a great job being consistent from the first day he got here, winter workouts to where we’re at today. You keep throwing more and more on his plate, and he rises to the occasion. You feel very comfortable putting him out there on the football field.”

Alabama football has not released a depth chart ahead of its season opener, but it should come as no surprise if Lee is listed in the two-deep.

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