He played under Nick Saban and got the University of Alabama its first BCS National Championship of the Saban era in 2009, yet Greg McElroy is impressed with Kalen DeBoer so far.

The former Crimson Tide quarterback likes how DeBoer has gone about his business in recruiting, putting together a coaching staff, and creating a family environment with the players. McElroy sees DeBoer coaching the Tide into the College Football Playoff in his first year coming over from Washington. In his Always College Football podcast, McElroy structured his preseason Top 25 for this upcoming season. He has DeBoer and Alabama ranked in the top five at No.5 respectfully. McElroy has two Southeastern Conference teams ahead of the Tide as Texas is ranked No. 4 and Georgia is No. 2. Alabama will battle the Bulldogs in its fourth game of the season at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28. All eyes will be on that matchup in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

🚨 @GregMcElroy's Preseason Top 25 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ZiFbTdQWJJ

— Always College Football (@AlwaysCFB) July 11, 2024

Ohio State (No. 1) and Oregon (No. 3) are also ranked ahead of the Tide in McElroy's preseason list.

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It will be fun documenting how Alabama performs in the fall under Coach DeBoer.

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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.