Alabama Reloaded for Another Title Run in 2025 Behind Kam Dewberry’s Leadership and Dominant Presence in the Trenches
The Alabama Crimson Tide enter the 2025 season with a familiar objective—national championship or bust. After narrowly missing the College Football Playoff in 2024, the Tide are reloaded, retooled, and ready to impose their will on the SEC and beyond. One of the biggest reasons for that optimism is the arrival of Kam Dewberry, a dominant offensive lineman who transferred from Texas A&M and has immediately become a cornerstone of the Crimson Tide’s offensive front.
Kam Dewberry brings not just talent, but SEC experience, size, leadership, and a mentality tailor-made for the kind of smashmouth football Alabama still believes in. In an offseason where offensive line improvement was a top priority for head coach Kalen DeBoer, landing Dewberry was arguably the biggest win outside of returning talent. At 6-foot-4 and over 330 pounds, Dewberry isn’t just another piece—he’s an anchor.
His impact will be felt in every aspect of the Tide’s offensive game plan. Whether it’s setting the tone in the run game or giving time for Alabama’s young quarterbacks to find rhythm, Dewberry is expected to lead by example. In many ways, he represents the bridge between Alabama’s past physical dominance and the evolving modern offense under DeBoer.
That blend of tradition and innovation will be central to Alabama’s identity in 2025. While Nick Saban may have retired, the standard he built remains. DeBoer enters his second season with the task of balancing expectations with reality. The roster is still loaded, but there are question marks—particularly at quarterback, wide receiver consistency, and defensive secondary depth. However, those question marks are softened by the fact that Alabama remains one of the most talented and best-coached programs in the country.
The offense should take a leap forward in DeBoer’s second year at the helm. A full offseason with returning coordinators and better cohesion among the offensive line bodes well for improvement. The Tide struggled in stretches last season with quarterback pressure and third down conversions—areas where Dewberry’s presence should provide stability. Whether he lines up at guard or tackle, he brings elite blocking skills, high football IQ, and the kind of edge Alabama linemen are known for.
The quarterback position remains a tight race heading into fall camp, with no clear front-runner. Sophomore Austin Mack and redshirt freshman Dylan Lonergan are the two most talked-about candidates, with true freshman Keelon Russell flashing potential as well. While none of them are proven, the staff is confident one will emerge as a game manager with upside. And with Dewberry up front, the Tide may not need elite quarterback play early on—just steady execution and ball security.
Alabama’s backfield could be among the best in the country. Jam Miller and Justice Haynes return as a potent one-two punch, combining physicality with burst and pass-catching ability. Add in Richard Young, who has developed well in the offseason, and the Tide have depth, versatility, and explosiveness at running back. This group will benefit greatly from the improved offensive line play. Expect the Tide to lean on the run game more early in the season while the quarterback settles in.
At wide receiver, Alabama brings back talent but needs consistency. Isaiah Bond is gone, but Kobe Prentice, Jalen Hale, and Kendrick Law all return with experience and potential. The addition of true freshman phenom Ryan Williams gives Alabama a deep-threat weapon that could blossom into a game-changer by midseason. The success of this group will depend largely on quarterback play, but with better protection and a defined offensive identity, they have the tools to excel.
Tight end Amari Niblack could become a breakout star in 2025. His size-speed combination makes him a matchup nightmare, and he should be featured more prominently in DeBoer’s offense. Expect more two-tight end sets, especially early in the season as the offense tries to establish rhythm and balance.
Defensively, Alabama has pieces to be great again, though some growing pains are likely. The defensive front should be stout, with veterans like Tim Keenan III and Jah-Marien Latham anchoring the interior. Edge rusher Keon Keeley is poised for a breakout season, and his development will be key to the Tide’s ability to pressure the quarterback.
At linebacker, Deontae Lawson returns as the heart of the defense. His leadership and sideline-to-sideline ability give Alabama a stabilizing force in the middle. The emergence of sophomore Justin Jefferson and the arrival of freshman Chris Cole provide depth and speed. This linebacker corps may not be as deep as some past Bama units, but they have the tools to fly around and make plays.
The secondary is both talented and unproven. Caleb Downs’ departure leaves a massive hole, but redshirt sophomore Antonio Kite and freshman phenom Zay Mincey are expected to lead a new-look defensive backfield. Malachi Moore’s return for his senior season is a huge boost; his experience and leadership will be vital in helping the younger players adapt. Cornerback Domani Jackson, the USC transfer, brings speed and SEC-ready physicality, and could become the next shutdown corner in Tuscaloosa.
Special teams are often overlooked in preseason previews, but for Alabama, they could be the difference in a few key games. James Burnip is back as one of the nation’s most consistent punters, and the kicking competition between Will Reichard’s successor and freshman prospect Drew DeArman will be something to watch. Alabama’s return game, led by Law and Williams, could swing momentum often.
The 2025 schedule is brutal, as always. Alabama opens the season with a neutral site game against Wisconsin in Atlanta—an early test for the young quarterbacks and revamped defense. The SEC slate includes road trips to LSU and Oklahoma, and home matchups with Georgia and Tennessee. There’s very little room for error, but Alabama never expects an easy road.
The good news is that Alabama recruits depth and competition at every position. They’ve reloaded with another top-five class and key portal additions, highlighted by Dewberry, Jackson, and linebacker transfer Jaheim Thomas from Arkansas. These players fill immediate needs and raise the team’s floor considerably.
Kam Dewberry’s leadership and play will be central to everything Alabama hopes to achieve this fall. He’s not just a plug-and-play lineman—he’s a culture-setter. Watching him in spring camp and summer workouts, it’s clear he’s bought in. He’s vocal, demanding of himself and teammates, and has the kind of presence that changes locker rooms. Dewberry has national title aspirations, and he chose Alabama because he believes this team can win it all.
The message coming out of Tuscaloosa is one of confidence and urgency. DeBoer knows that simply being competitive at Alabama isn’t enough. The standard remains national championships. With Kam Dewberry anchoring the trenches, a backfield loaded with talent, and a defense with emerging stars, the Tide are in position to return to the College Football Playoff.
But it won’t be easy. Georgia, Michigan, Texas, and Ohio State all return loaded rosters. The expanded 12-team playoff format gives Alabama more margin for error, but it also introduces new challenges. Health, depth, and chemistry will matter more than ever. DeBoer must keep the locker room united and focused week to week.
If the quarterback position stabilizes early and Dewberry leads the offensive line to top-tier performance, Alabama could very well find themselves back in the national championship picture. Kam Dewberry didn’t transfer to Alabama to be good—he came to be great. And if his teammates follow his lead, greatness might be exactly what Alabama delivers in 2025.
