Players who stayed at Alabama are praised by Kalen DeBoer as a hilarious workout video gains widespread attention.
Kalen DeBoer has officially begun his first season as the head football coach at Alabama, marking the first time without Nick Saban since 2007 and signaling the start of a new era for the Crimson Tide. Despite the commencement of winter workouts and spring ball still a few weeks away, the team is back in Tuscaloosa, shifting focus to the upcoming 2024 college football season.
DeBoer, who joined from Washington, faced a wave of player transfers to the SEC upon his arrival, with many departing even before he set foot on campus. The head coach acknowledged the nature of college football’s constant change, with around 18 players entering the transfer portal before Saban’s retirement. While DeBoer managed to retain more players than he lost and welcomed non-Alabama players through the transfer portal, he acknowledged that the roster will undergo changes by Week 1.
Although DeBoer is optimistic about the team’s potential with the players who chose to stay, he acknowledged that there are a few spots to fill during the upcoming transfer window. The Crimson Tide will evaluate the roster during spring ball and utilize the available scholarships when needed.
The spring transfer portal is set to open on April 15th, and DeBoer anticipates some turnover in Tuscaloosa, aligning with the modern era’s dynamics in college athletics. Despite the changes, DeBoer is excited about the athletes who stayed, emphasizing their commitment and determination to prove skeptics wrong regarding Alabama’s ability to win without Saban.
DeBoer addressed a viral video from a recent workout, where players were power skipping during warmups, dismissing criticism as those who don’t understand football. He explained that power skipping is a standard exercise in the sport, reinforcing the team’s commitment to physical conditioning and preparation for the upcoming season.
