Kalen DeBoer is feeling the heat after an embarrassing loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff. Following Nick Saban wasn’t going to be easy, but fans are restless in Tuscaloosa after this year. So, how does he fix this team?
Wide Receiver
If not for Germie Bernard, Alabama’s passing attack might have rivaled its rushing attack in terms of consistency. Lotzeir Brooks and Isaiah Horton took turns stepping up this year, but neither did so consistently.
Ryan Williams hid in Jeremiah Smith’s shadow on the cover of College Football ’26, and he honestly might still be there. After a strong freshman campaign, the sophomore underwhelmed in 2025.
Auburn transfer Cam Coleman is a pipe dream. The Crimson Tide needs a different maker at the position, and Coleman gives them that. He’s set to visit Alabama, and DeBoer needs to convince him that the passing attack is still in good hands at the quarterback position.
Other difference makers they could consider include Colorado’s Omarion Miller, Boston College’s Reed Harris, and NC State’s Terrell Anderson.
Offensive Line
It’s clear that the Alabama standard took a big step back once Nick Saban departed. Teams did not fear the offensive line this year, and that caused numerous problems for the offense. The Tide’s play up front has taken a dip in the last five years, with the group recording an 82.0 according to PFSN’s Team OL Impact metrics.
It’s a premium position in the transfer portal, so DeBoer needs to attack the position. LSU’s Carius Curne, Tennessee’s Lance Heard, and Auburn’s Xavier Chaplin will be in high demand but would give the Tide familiar names with strong upside.
Defensive Tackle
Alabama got its teeth kicked in by Indiana, and the defense struggled. The line had a rough day, and they’ll need to replace multiple starters next year. The edge should be alright, but the tackle position needs to be addressed.
If they choose to look in the portal, they have a few options. Wake Forest’s Mateen Ibirogba, USC’s Devan Thompkins, and Arkansas’ Ian Geffrard all give the Tide something to think about in terms of upgrades.
Running Back
Who the blame belongs to when it comes to Alabama’s rushing attack doesn’t matter at this point, but it needs to be fixed. While the offensive line didn’t thrive, the running back room lacked a real game-changer at the position.
Sure, the Tide had size at the position, but there wasn’t a home run back on the roster. Louisville’s Isaac Brown has the speed to score from anywhere on the field, but the Tide might be behind in his recruitment.
Other names to keep an eye on: NC State’s Hollywood Smothers, Texas’ Quintrevion Wisner, and Arizona State’s Raleek Brown.
