Fans of Alabama football will hear from its third year head coach, Kalen DeBoer, on Tuesday for the first time in media availability for spring practice.
They have several questions for the 51-year-old to address – including most coming on the offensive side of the ball.
What Alabama fans want more from Crimson Tide in year three under Kalen DeBoer?
The Crimson Tide is working toward a successful spring semester to provide its fan base confidence in it returning to an exciting style of performance in the fall. Coach DeBoer thoroughly understands everything must be better if he wants this team to accomplish being the best in the Southeastern Conference and in college football.
Of all the concerns that Tide supporters have, the biggest four are below.
1. Inside Linebacker Depth
Kane Wommack (Alabama’s defensive coordinator) and Chuck Morrell (Alabama’s inside linebackers coach) have an outstanding assignment in spring practice.
Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama linebacker QB Reese (36) is tackled after recovering a fumble by UL Monroe linebacker Daniel Knudsen (7) and a teammate at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated UL Monroe 73-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
The Tide graduated three inside linebackers – Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikahi Hill-Green – to the NFL Draft and it must replace them. Caleb Woodson, a productive transfer, comes over from Virginia Tech, yet who joins the rotation with him?
Alabama has QB Reese, Cayden Jones, Abduall Sanders Jr., Duke Johnson II, Luke Metz and Zay Hall.
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The trio of Woodson, Reese, and Jones would be the obvious choice, but it will be interesting to see how quickly Woodson learns the system and how fast do Reese and Jones rise to grab either middle “Mike” or “Sting” (weakside linebacker) spots?
Wommack typically rotates three guys at inside linebacker for his 4-2-5 defensive system.
2. Consistent pass rushers
Alabama returns Yhonzae Pierre for his fourth season at outside “Wolf” linebacker; however, who will help him give a consistent pass rush?
Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama linebacker Yhonzae Pierre (42) fights off a block by LSU offensive lineman Carius Curne (57) to sack LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) for a loss at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
The Tide has been at its best defensively when it has had at least two players that can be depended on to affect opposing quarterbacks. Pierre totaled a team-high eight sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hurries in 2025, but he will face double teams in the fall.
Alabama has talent at wolf – including Justin Hill, Dez Zulu (transfer from South Carolina), Jamarion Matthews, and Fatuota Henry, yet who rises from the group?
Christian Robinson has to pop out someone from this unit as outside linebackers coach.
3. Starting OL rotation
This is arguably the biggest question in spring camp.
Nov 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer high fives Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Michael Carroll (64) during the first half against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
Alabama has not had a physical offensive line in nearly six seasons. The 2020 unit that featured Landon Dickerson, Alex Leatherwood, Evan Neal, Emil Ekiyor Jr., and Deonte Brown was the last one to win the Joe Moore Award – which goes to the top offensive group in college football.
Austin Mack or Keelon Russell: Who’s the favorite in spring practice for Alabama’s QB race?
Dickerson and his teammates guided the Tide to an SEC Championship and CFP National Championship in the COVID-shortened season. Alabama has gone through three offensive line coaches since Kyle Flood in 2020, and now fans are praying for Adrian Klemm to be the answer.
It has to replace Parker Brailsford, Kaydn Proctor, Kam Dewberry, and Jaeden Roberts, but Klemm has to put together a unit that gets fans back excited again.
4. Special Teams
Jay Nunez is still listed as Alabama’s special teams coach, regardless of the issues in the kicking department last season.
Nov 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide kicker Conor Talty (31) reacts after missing a field goal to end the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Conor Talty was inconsistent, making 16 of 23 field goals. Blake Doudd had some good moments punting, but fell to inconsistency late in the year. Alabama fans have not had a kicker to feel confident about since Will Reichard and a punter to have joy from since James Burnip. Also, the Tide has lacked an electric return specialist for a while.
Special teams means a lot in college football and it needs to be fixed for Alabama.
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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
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