Alabama Opens Fall Camp Under Kalen DeBoer With Fresh Energy, Fierce Position Battles, and a Renewed Focus on Fundamentals
Day 1 of fall camp in Tuscaloosa marks the beginning of a new era for Alabama football, and it feels different. After nearly two decades defined by Nick Saban’s relentless consistency, precision, and control, the Crimson Tide now belong to Kalen DeBoer. As the team hit the field for the first official practice of the 2025 season, all eyes were on how Alabama would start this new chapter—one that blends tradition with transformation.
The buzz around the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility was palpable. The energy was lighter, maybe even more relaxed in tone, but still unmistakably intense. Players moved with urgency. Coaches barked instructions. Position groups rotated with clockwork efficiency. But the tenor of practice—structured, yet infused with a sense of innovation—hinted at a philosophical shift under DeBoer’s leadership. His approach to player development, communication, and tempo was immediately evident.
The biggest difference on Day 1 wasn’t necessarily the drills themselves, but the tone. DeBoer, known for his offensive mind and player-friendly approach, spent time bouncing between position groups, checking in with individual players, offering encouragement, and making mental notes. His presence was less authoritarian than Saban’s, but no less commanding. There was clarity in his expectations, and the players responded with focus and intensity.
The most anticipated storyline of fall camp remains the quarterback battle. With Jalen Milroe having departed for the NFL after a solid 2024 season, the competition is wide open. On Day 1, it was clear that DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan plan to give each candidate a fair shake. Redshirt sophomore Ty Simpson, redshirt freshman Dylan Lonergan, and true freshman Keelon Russell all took reps with the first-team offense at various points. Simpson looked the most comfortable, showing improved footwork and decision-making in 7-on-7 drills. Lonergan flashed zip and confidence in the intermediate game, while Russell, the early enrollee from Texas, showcased raw talent and natural arm strength, even if his timing needs refinement.
DeBoer didn’t offer much insight in post-practice comments, simply noting that the quarterback competition would be a “daily evaluation” and that he’s looking for “consistency, leadership, and execution.” Behind closed doors, however, it’s understood that Simpson has the early edge, thanks to his system familiarity and maturity. Still, Russell’s upside has intrigued coaches, and the staff will not hesitate to push him into meaningful reps if he continues to develop at this pace.
Beyond quarterback, the offensive line took early focus on Day 1. Returning starters like Kadyn Proctor and Tyler Booker looked leaner and more fluid, a result of the team’s revamped strength and conditioning program under new director Lance Barilow. The unit worked extensively on combo blocks and pass protection sets against simulated blitzes, a clear indication that DeBoer wants this group to gel quickly. Communication between linemen was loud and constant—music to the ears of any coach trying to build cohesion.
At wide receiver, there’s a mix of old and new. Isaiah Bond is now the unquestioned leader of the group, and he looked sharp in individual drills, running crisp routes and showing strong hands. Freshmen Ryan Williams and Amari Jefferson turned heads as well, each flashing elite speed and body control. Williams, in particular, looked like a future star. Despite his youth, his confidence was evident, and his chemistry with all three quarterbacks was strong. The competition for starting spots in the receiver room is wide open, and Day 1 made it clear that Alabama has an abundance of options.
Running backs rotated frequently, with Justice Haynes and Jam Miller getting the bulk of early reps. Haynes ran with power and balance, while Miller’s burst in space remains a weapon. Freshman Kevin Riley also impressed in limited reps, showing vision and acceleration. It’s a deep room, and the committee approach seems likely unless one back emerges decisively over the next few weeks.
Defensively, the early focus was on establishing identity and tempo. New defensive coordinator William Inge emphasized physicality and communication, often stopping drills to correct alignment or spacing. The front seven looked fast and aggressive. Linebackers Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell led the way, directing traffic and setting the tone with vocal leadership. Sophomore edge rusher Qua Russaw drew early praise from coaches after winning multiple 1-on-1 reps in pass rush drills. He appears poised to take on a larger role this fall.
In the secondary, the absence of Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold was noticeable—but not crippling. Freshmen Zabien Brown and Jaylen Mbakwe were both thrown into the fire and held their own against more experienced receivers. Downs, now a junior, is the unquestioned leader of the back end, and he flew around the field with purpose, barking out calls and bringing physicality to every rep. Defensive backs coach Morice Crenshaw, a DeBoer hire, spent much of the day emphasizing footwork, transitions, and recovery speed, knowing that the Tide’s secondary will be tested early and often this season.
Perhaps the most under-the-radar storyline from Day 1 came from special teams. As expected, Alabama opened camp without established starters at kicker or punter. Conor Talty handled most of the placekicking reps and was solid from inside 40 yards but missed a couple deep attempts. At punter, Jack Martin and freshman Keegan Morgan split reps, with Martin showing better directional control. The staff spent extra time on field goal timing and punt coverage—recognizing that inexperience at those positions could lead to growing pains if not ironed out early.
While individual performances drew plenty of attention, the larger takeaway from Day 1 was the practice structure and team dynamic under DeBoer. Music blared between drills. Coaches worked with urgency but also patience. Mistakes were corrected on the spot, but players weren’t berated. There was a sense of trust being built—not just between players and coaches, but between teammates. Leadership is beginning to form organically, not just from seniors, but also from younger voices like Haynes and Downs, who seem fully comfortable in their roles.
DeBoer’s first fall camp is as much about culture as it is about Xs and Os. He’s inheriting a program with unmatched expectations but also one with the infrastructure for sustained success. The question is whether his methods—so successful at Washington and Fresno State—can translate at Alabama’s scale. If Day 1 is any indication, the early signs are promising. Players appeared bought in. Coaches were aligned. The energy was high, but not chaotic.
Still, Day 1 is just a start. The pads haven’t come on yet. No depth chart decisions have been made. The real tests will come in live scrimmages, where tempo, execution, and situational awareness will determine who rises and who falls. But for now, Alabama fans can take solace in what they saw—or heard—from that first whistle: a program that hasn’t missed a beat in its transition and a team ready to chase greatness under new leadership.
By the time practice concluded and players jogged off the field, a familiar Alabama ritual resumed. Reporters leaned over the fence to gather impressions. Fans behind the gates called out names. But in the midst of all the noise, the team remained locked in—heads down, focused on the grind.
Because even in a new era, with new coaches and new voices, the goal in Tuscaloosa remains the same: win championships. And for that, fall camp is not just a formality—it’s a foundation. Day 1 laid the first brick. What comes next will determine how high Alabama can climb in 2025.
