Kalen DeBoer asked about status of Alabama freshman running back

Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama running back AK Dear (0) outruns a tackle attempt by UL Monroe defensive back Carl Fauntroy (8) on his way to a long touchdown run at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated UL Monroe 73-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Alabama football’s true freshman running back, AK Dear has not seen any meaningful playing time since exploding for a 56-yard rushing touchdown against ULM.

This is not something totally out of the ordinary or unexpected, considering he was not listed on the Tide’s depth chart against Florida State to open the season, despite Jam Miller being out. The freshman received his first college snaps against ULM, and he made the most of them, finishing the game with 76 yards and a touchdown on five carries.

Dear would run the football two times for nine carries against Wisconsin during the following week, and it would be the last time he touched the field as a running back to this point.

DeBoer was asked about Dear’s development on Wednesday as the Crimson Tide looks for answers in the run game.

“We saw enough of him early to know he’s an explosive player,” DeBoer said. “He’s going to be a guy I know in our future, sooner and later, that continues to help our football team. I think he’s getting more and more comfortable with being here. And I think we have a group of guys that are all working themselves and trying to get ready to go if called upon.”

It will be interesting to monitor Dear’s role moving forward.