Marlon Humphrey Impressed by Alabama Football Progress After Watching Film: Believes 2025 Crimson Tide Have Reclaimed Their Identity
Alabama football isn’t short on critics or expectations. But when a former Crimson Tide great like Marlon Humphrey takes notice—and takes the time to break down the film—you listen. And what he’s seeing from the 2025 Alabama squad has him more than optimistic. “It’s come together just great,” Humphrey recently said after watching summer film sessions. And coming from someone who played under Nick Saban and helped shape Alabama’s defensive standard, those words carry serious weight.
Humphrey, now a veteran NFL cornerback and a consistent voice of pride when it comes to his alma mater, took to social media and various podcasts this summer to share his thoughts after diving into recent Alabama film. What he found wasn’t just potential—it was progress. Tangible, cohesive, team-wide progress that has been building throughout spring ball and into summer workouts under second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer.
While many in the national media are focused on the retirement of Nick Saban and the SEC’s always brutal landscape, Humphrey sees a program that’s quietly sharpening its blade, reestablishing a culture rooted in toughness, discipline, and detail. His commentary points to a Crimson Tide team that has been working behind the scenes to refine every facet of its game, and now it’s starting to show.
“From what I’ve seen, it’s not just hype or fluff. The schemes look cleaner. The communication on defense is tighter. The offensive line—way more disciplined,” Humphrey said. “I’ve watched these guys, and it’s obvious they’ve been grinding.”
Humphrey’s words match what insiders have been reporting for weeks now. The culture in Tuscaloosa hasn’t collapsed with Saban’s departure—it’s evolved. Under DeBoer, the energy is different, but the commitment to excellence remains. The former Washington head coach brought with him a more modern approach to scheme, communication, and relationships. That blend is beginning to pay off, and Humphrey sees it clearly.
A large part of Humphrey’s excitement centers on Alabama’s defense. As a defensive back himself, he zeroed in on the secondary while watching practice film. He came away particularly impressed with Domani Jackson, the transfer cornerback from USC. “That kid has wheels and confidence. He’s going to be a shutdown guy. He’s not afraid to get in your face. I love it,” Humphrey said.
He also praised veteran safety Malachi Moore, who returns as the unquestioned leader of the defense. “Moore is the glue. When I played, we always had that one guy who made sure everyone was lined up and locked in. That’s him now,” Humphrey said. “He’s taken that next step mentally, and it shows in how the DBs are playing.”
Humphrey also spent time praising Alabama’s pass rush, particularly sophomore edge rusher Keon Keeley. “That dude’s get-off is insane. He’s got Bama edge-rusher DNA written all over him,” Humphrey said. “If they let him loose, offenses are going to have a long day.”
Defensively, Humphrey believes the Tide are close to regaining their identity. “They’re flying to the ball, they’re swarming again,” he said. “There were times last year when it felt like guys were reacting too late or overthinking. Not now. They’re moving with purpose.”
It’s not just the defense that’s caught Humphrey’s eye. The offense, under the direction of coordinator Ryan Grubb, has undergone a full transformation. Humphrey noted how much cleaner the execution looked from spring to summer, especially in the passing game. “You can tell the quarterbacks are getting more comfortable,” he said. “They’re making reads quicker, the ball’s coming out on time. And those receivers are really starting to pop.”
Though Alabama has yet to name a starting quarterback, Humphrey was encouraged by the growth of Austin Mack and Dylan Lonergan. “Lonergan’s deep ball is smooth. Mack’s got that poise in the pocket,” Humphrey said. “They’re not Bryce [Young] yet, but you don’t need that if the rest of the team is rolling. You need a guy who can execute and take care of the ball.”
Another major point of Humphrey’s praise was the offensive line. After being a source of criticism last year due to inconsistent protection and penalties, the 2025 unit has begun to earn respect. “They’ve cleaned up a lot,” Humphrey said. “It’s not perfect, but the footwork’s better, the communication’s better, and that big transfer—Dewberry? That dude is a beast. He’s the kind of guy we used to have.”
Kam Dewberry, the former Texas A&M lineman, has indeed become a key piece to Alabama’s rebuilt offensive front. And for Humphrey to single him out as reminiscent of the old Bama linemen says a lot. Dewberry is expected to bring both power and leadership, and his presence could be the stabilizing force Alabama needs to control the line of scrimmage again.
Humphrey also offered insight into something beyond the Xs and Os—the body language of the team. “When you watch film, it’s not just the play itself. It’s how guys react to mistakes, how they celebrate success, how the sideline moves. There’s an energy there right now. A confidence that’s real.”
He pointed to the way the team is rallying around each other and how the veterans are mentoring younger players. “That’s what makes a championship team,” Humphrey said. “Talent’s great, but when the locker room is unified and the mission is clear, that’s when Bama is dangerous.”
For a team in transition after the greatest coach in college football history stepped away, Humphrey’s approval is no small validation. And it echoes what many inside the Alabama program have quietly believed: that the process continues, even if the face leading it has changed.
The 2025 schedule won’t make things easy. With a tough opener against Wisconsin in Atlanta and brutal road games at LSU, Oklahoma, and Auburn, Alabama must be mentally and physically sharp every single week. But Humphrey believes that this group—this mix of returning players, young talent, and key transfers—is built for the grind.
“Every game’s going to be a test, but they’ve got the pieces,” he said. “If the quarterback settles in and the O-line stays healthy, I think they can make a real run.”
Humphrey’s analysis comes at a time when fans are searching for reassurance. Change always brings questions, and for Alabama, the bar hasn’t lowered just because Saban retired. The expectation is still championships. And while the path may be more uncertain than in years past, the tools are in place.
What makes Humphrey’s endorsement even more meaningful is that it wasn’t scripted or promotional—it came from real film study, real passion, and a deep connection to the program. His voice joins a growing chorus of alumni and insiders who believe that DeBoer has something special brewing in Year 2.
“He’s not Saban—and he’s not trying to be,” Humphrey said. “But he’s building something strong, and these guys are buying in. That’s how dynasties keep going.”
It’s still summer. Games haven’t been played yet. There are battles left to win in fall camp, and the quarterback situation remains unsettled. But if the film really does tell the truth, then Marlon Humphrey’s words may be a harbinger of what’s coming.
Alabama football is still standing. Still growing. Still dangerous.
And according to one of its most respected voices, it might just be coming together exactly the way it’s supposed to.
