Alabama stood alone among SEC football programs this spring in one notable way — the Crimson Tide didn’t lose a single scholarship player during the most recent transfer portal window. It’s a development that second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer is clearly pleased with, as he continues shaping his 2025 squad.
Speaking Monday at the Senior Bowl Charity Classic in Fairhope, DeBoer credited both the players and his staff for fostering a strong sense of continuity and commitment.
“You really start to understand who your team is,” DeBoer said. “The guys have done a fantastic job building relationships, and our coaching staff is developing players in a way that makes them feel like they have real value here.”
While Alabama did see some departures in the January portal window, the clean slate this spring has DeBoer encouraged about the program’s direction.
“This spring was productive in a lot of ways. Yes, there are still areas where we need major improvement, but I love the chemistry and makeup of this team,” he said. “That connection helps in the close games — the ones we came up short in last year. It’s going to matter in the SEC.”
Alabama ended the 2024 season with a 9-4 record, with three of those losses coming by seven points or fewer. DeBoer believes that familiarity heading into Year 2 is making a noticeable difference.
“There’s more comfort now,” he added. “Everyone knows the routines. And that lets us keep building the relationships that are so important — both within the team and out in the community.”
The Crimson Tide open their 2025 season on August 30 with a marquee road game at Florida State, marking their first-ever visit to Tallahassee.
From a team perspective, there’s now a stronger sense of connection between the players and staff, which helps everyone stay aligned and appreciate the bigger picture, DeBoer explained. With shared experiences from last season to build on, the team is better equipped to address past shortcomings.
“There’s real ownership across the board — from the coaching staff to the players,” DeBoer said. “We’re excited to keep growing and improving.”
Alabama will kick off the 2025 season on August 30 with a historic road game at Florida State — the program’s first-ever trip to Tallahassee.