First-year Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer isn’t sugarcoating the challenges he faces in Tuscaloosa. While the Crimson Tide are still loaded with talent, DeBoer has been refreshingly candid about one big area of concern: the quarterback room.
DeBoer recently admitted that Alabama’s QB numbers are “scary,” highlighting a lack of experience and depth that could haunt the team if injuries or struggles arise. Behind expected starter Jalen Milroe, options are thin — Ty Simpson has yet to prove himself, and true freshman Julian Sayin, who many hoped would compete, transferred to Ohio State before spring ball.
Milroe’s dual-threat ability gives Alabama a dynamic playmaker, but DeBoer knows one injury could quickly turn a strength into a glaring weakness. Unlike Nick Saban’s later years, when Alabama regularly boasted multiple proven quarterbacks waiting in the wings, this year’s roster simply doesn’t offer the same luxury.
“People don’t realize how fragile a situation like this can be,” DeBoer said. “We’re one injury away from having to throw someone into the fire before they’re ready.”
The Tide’s new head coach is confident in Milroe’s development and leadership, but he’s also preparing for the worst-case scenario. Alabama fans expecting the same quarterback security blanket they enjoyed during the Saban era may need to brace for a bumpy ride if Milroe misses time.
DeBoer’s blunt assessment underscores the stakes as he tries to steer Alabama back to the top of the college football world — and it’s a reminder that even the nation’s powerhouse programs aren’t immune to roster vulnerabilities.
“The Numbers Are Scary”: What DeBoer Sees in Alabama’s QB Room That Fans Don’t
