Kalen DeBoer, the Head Coach of Alabama Football, Highlights the Crimson Tide’s Biggest Uncertainty for the 2025 Campaign
The 2025 college football season is rapidly approaching, and as with every new year, teams are looking to build upon their successes and overcome their challenges. For the Alabama Crimson Tide, the perennial powerhouse of college football, expectations are high as always. However, despite the continued success under head coach Nick Saban, there is one area of significant uncertainty heading into the 2025 campaign that has caught the attention of Kalen DeBoer, head coach of the Washington Huskies, among others.
While Alabama has remained a dominant force in college football year after year, DeBoer, who has closely followed the Tide’s program, believes there is one aspect of Alabama football that stands out as the biggest uncertainty for the upcoming season. In an era where the game continues to evolve, and with many powerhouse programs facing similar dilemmas, Alabama finds itself grappling with a crucial question that will shape its fate in 2025 and beyond.
This uncertainty is not a lack of talent or coaching expertise — both of which are staples of Alabama football — but rather a deeper challenge that has the potential to either propel the team to new heights or hinder its progress. Let’s dive into the details of what Kalen DeBoer sees as Alabama’s biggest uncertainty heading into the 2025 season and why it could be the defining factor for the team’s success.
Quarterback Play: The Unanswered Question
When Kalen DeBoer points to Alabama’s biggest uncertainty for 2025, he is referring to the question mark surrounding the quarterback position. Alabama has long been known for its elite quarterback play, with players like AJ McCarron, Tua Tagovailoa, and Bryce Young leading the charge during their respective tenures. These quarterbacks were instrumental in driving Alabama’s success, propelling the Crimson Tide to national championships and Heisman contention.
However, as the 2025 season approaches, Alabama finds itself in a unique position: there is no clear-cut, established starter at the quarterback position. With Bryce Young now in the NFL, Alabama enters the season with uncertainty at the most important position on the field. DeBoer, who has witnessed the ebb and flow of Alabama’s quarterback battles in recent years, believes this uncertainty could pose a significant challenge for the Crimson Tide in their quest for another national title.
The quarterback situation at Alabama has been a topic of much discussion and speculation, as multiple players are competing for the starting role. While Alabama has a talented group of quarterbacks vying for the position, none have emerged as a definitive frontrunner heading into the season. The team’s success will largely depend on how quickly a leader can emerge in the huddle, and whether the coaching staff can identify the right fit for their system.
The Candidates for the Quarterback Role
The uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position is compounded by the fact that Alabama has several talented players competing for the job. The Crimson Tide’s quarterback room is filled with potential, but that potential has yet to be fully realized. Let’s take a closer look at some of the players in the mix and what they bring to the table.
1. Jalen Milroe
Jalen Milroe, who served as the backup quarterback in 2024, is one of the front-runners to take over the starting job. Milroe is a highly athletic quarterback with strong running ability, but he also possesses a strong arm that can stretch the field. His mobility makes him a dual-threat quarterback, and his ability to make plays with his legs could make him a dangerous weapon in Alabama’s offense.
However, Milroe’s development as a passer is still a work in progress. His accuracy and decision-making have been questioned at times, and he will need to refine these aspects of his game to take his play to the next level. If he can develop into a more consistent passer while maintaining his dual-threat ability, Milroe could become a key asset for Alabama’s offense in 2025.
2. Ty Simpson
Ty Simpson is another highly-touted quarterback in the mix, who came to Alabama with great expectations. As a five-star recruit, Simpson has the potential to be an elite playmaker. He has a strong arm and shows the ability to make all the throws, making him a potential long-term option at quarterback for the Crimson Tide.
However, Simpson will need to adjust to the speed of the SEC and prove that he can handle the pressure of being a starter for a team with championship aspirations. His development in spring and fall camp will be critical, as he will have to demonstrate that he can make quick decisions and maintain composure under pressure.
3. Dylan Lonergan
Dylan Lonergan, another promising young quarterback, has been seen as a potential future star for the Tide. He has impressed coaches with his arm strength, mechanics, and football intelligence. As a freshman, Lonergan may not be the favorite to start immediately, but his upside makes him a player to watch closely. Should he be able to grasp the offense quickly, there is a chance that he could challenge for the starting role and contribute early in his career.
The Importance of Quarterback Play for Alabama’s Success
As Kalen DeBoer has pointed out, quarterback play will be the biggest uncertainty for Alabama in 2025, and the team’s success will largely depend on how this position plays out. Alabama has a championship-caliber roster, filled with elite talent at almost every position, but without solid quarterback play, all that talent could go to waste.
In recent years, Alabama has relied on strong quarterback play to guide the offense and provide the necessary leadership on the field. In 2024, Bryce Young was a Heisman finalist, and his ability to make plays both in the air and on the ground was a key factor in Alabama’s success. The team needs a quarterback who can not only manage the offense but also make plays in critical moments. Without that, Alabama’s high-powered offense could struggle to keep pace with other elite teams in college football.
Moreover, Alabama’s defense has been a strong point throughout the Nick Saban era, but a dominant defense alone isn’t enough to win championships in today’s college football landscape. Alabama will need a quarterback who can help the offense put up points and execute in high-pressure situations, particularly when facing top-tier SEC competition.
The Ripple Effect on Alabama’s Recruiting and Future
The uncertainty at quarterback also has ramifications for Alabama’s recruiting efforts. Alabama has long been known as a program that attracts the top quarterbacks in the country, and this competition for the starting job could play a role in future recruiting cycles.
Top recruits want to know that they have a chance to compete for playing time and make an impact early in their careers. If Alabama can resolve the quarterback situation and show that there’s a clear path to playing time for the right player, it could help with recruiting efforts in the coming years. On the other hand, if Alabama continues to struggle to find a reliable quarterback in 2025, it could raise questions about the stability of the position and impact the team’s ability to attract top-tier recruits.
DeBoer’s Perspective on Alabama’s Uncertainty
Kalen DeBoer’s comments on Alabama’s quarterback situation reflect a broader trend in college football, where many elite programs are facing similar uncertainties at key positions. However, for Alabama, the uncertainty at quarterback is particularly significant because of the program’s rich history of success and the level of expectations that come with it.
DeBoer, who has witnessed Alabama’s dominance firsthand, knows how crucial the quarterback position is in college football. While Alabama may have other strengths, including its offensive line, running game, and defense, the success of the team ultimately hinges on the performance of its quarterback. This is especially true in today’s game, where quarterbacks are expected to be dynamic playmakers capable of leading their teams to victory in high-stakes games.
Alabama’s biggest uncertainty heading into the 2025 season, according to DeBoer, is whether the Crimson Tide can find a quarterback capable of living up to the program’s storied legacy and leading them to another national championship. While Alabama has the talent and coaching staff to compete at the highest level, it all comes down to who emerges as the leader under center.