Kalen DeBoer breaks down approach to Alabama fixing run game

Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News/USA Today images

Self-scouting was needed for Alabama football in multiple areas this offseason, especially in the running game.

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The Crimson Tide had been known for producing 1,000-plus yard running backs and consistently stout offensive lines in the Nick Saban era. Kalen DeBoer had a group in 2025 that could not run the football, and it led to Ty Simpson getting beat up late in the year. Alabama finished near the bottom of college football in every major statistical rushing category.

This frustrated Tide fans as its program had no balance, which allowed opposition to really harass Simpson in the pocket.

DeBoer is excited to turn the page and have the offense be efficient.

He was on The Next Round for an interview on Wednesday. DeBoer knows the anguish of not achieving a balanced attack; however, he has the recipe to fix it for the coming fall. He is taking an across the board approach to have the run game better. 

“Everyone takes some type of ownership and it starts with me,” DeBoer said in his approach to fix the Tide’s ground game.

“Just what it looks like in practice, and what are we really focused on? What are the drills and the physicality? You know, what those types of things technically are? Are we doing the drills offensively versus defensively? What does the scout team look like? Not just what their scheme is, but what is the caliber of the scout team? Because you can look really good in practice and it is against guys that don’t give you much resistance.”

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DeBoer sees the run game as more than just the running backs and offensive line.

He values the tight ends and wide receivers blocking too. Everyone plays a role in propelling Alabama to have an elite rushing attack. Tide fans just want to have a group that can line up and power the ball through opponents when it wants to.

DeBoer eyes a return to balance in the fall.

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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.