CFB: Four Key Questions for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2025
By Rory-Joe Daniels
Kalen DeBoer’s first season as Alabama’s head coach did not go as planned. A three-loss season meant the Crimson Tide missed out on the extended playoffs. Fans knew it wouldn’t be a seamless transition from the Nick Saban era, but failing to make the playoffs again in 2025 would be a disaster.
Fortunately for DeBoer, he does have a few things in his favour; he boasts one of the more experienced defences in college football, and he welcomes back offensive coordinator Ben Grubb, with whom he achieved so much success at Washington. That’s not to say there aren’t significant questions to answer, let’s take a look at the four biggest going into the season.
Who will win the quarterback battle?
Ty Simpson heads into fall camp as the projected starter for Alabama, his 50 collegiate career snaps making him the most experienced (term used loosely) option. That said, Simpson has had three years in the program, around the majority of these players. As a former 5-star prospect himself, he deserves a shot to show off his strong arm and athletic ability.
The issue for Simpson is that the 5-star conveyor belt continues to roll in Tuscaloosa, and the next man up is one of the most exciting talents coming into college football in 2025. Texas native Keelon Russell has the prototypical size (6’3, 192lbs) and projects to be a difficult-to-contain dual-threat quarterback. Any stutter from Simpson and the murmurs for Russell will grow.
The darkhorse to watch is Austin Mack, the QB that transferred from Washington to follow coach DeBoer. With Ryan Grubb (DeBoer’s OC in Washington) finally back in the fold, his familiarity with Mack might mean he is the QB that will see action if Simpson struggles early and Russell isn’t ready. With Florida State, Wisconsin and Georgia on the slate in the first four games, someone will need to step up quickly.
Will a dominant defensive lineman emerge from this defensive group?
Alabama averaged 1.92 sacks per game in 2024, ranking them 69th out of 133 FBS teams, for a team with a history of illustrious pass rushers that’s rather underwhelming. Despite this, the defense allowed only 4.72 yards per play, the 10th-best mark in the country, showing that hitting the QB is not the be-all and end-all.
The defensive unit returns around eight significant contributors, meaning this should be one of the most experienced groups in college football. They will, however, hope to find someone who can have an impact similar to that of previous alumni like Will Anderson and Dallas Turner.
The most obvious difference maker is LT Overton, and while he does play as an edge rusher, his heavy-set build means he prospers right along the line. That dominance only brought two sacks in 2024, so a jump to double figures is unlikely. My favourite to emerge is Qua Russaw, who will man the Wolf role and grew as the season progressed in 2024. The early whispers from camp are promising, as Russaw has emerged as a team leader.
Can the Tide find their feet on the road in 2025?
In 17 seasons under Nick Saban, Alabama never lost more than two true road games in a season. Kalen DeBoer failed on that front straight from the get-go with the Tide going down to Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Oklahoma all away from home. It was a letdown that took the shine off an unblemished home record.
DeBoer now has a more experienced group with greater knowledge of his system, and those leaders should be able to help in hostile environments. The lack of real experience at the quarterback position, however, is something that would concern me.
‘Bama will face the likes of Georgia, South Carolina and Auburn on the road this year, as well as kicking off the season in Tallahassee. That’s not an easy proposition, and they will have to win at least two of those to avoid another three-loss season, that’s without any slip-ups at home. The increased difficulty of the SEC is undoubtedly a factor, but something DeBoer and this team have to adjust to if they hope to make the playoffs.
Will Bama iron out the offensive line issues that plagued them in 2024?
Individually, the 2024 Alabama offensive line was a talented group. Tyler Booker was the star, and Jaeden Roberts at the other guard spot impressed. Where the Tide struggled was at the tackle spot. Elijah Pritchett and Wilkin Formby combined to allow 40 pressures from the right tackle spot, while the talented Kadyn Proctor conceded 15 in a 2nd year that showed signs of improvement.
Those isolated mistakes were at times drive-killers, and that is what Alabama need to eliminate if they want to give Ty Simpson a platform for success. Formby will be given another chance at right tackle, and favourable reports are emerging from camp regarding his performance. To replace Booker, Bama bring in the experienced Kam Dewberry from Texas A&M. He will have a hard act to follow.
Elsewhere, having now experienced versions of Jaeden Roberts, Kadyn Proctor, and Parker Brailsford should only help this offensive line group improve. First on the agenda will be lowering the number of sacks conceded. That stat was 24, an average of 1.85 sacks per game, leaving them ranked 61st nationally. Notably, unless Russell starts at QB, the line won’t be helped by the escapability of a QB like Milroe.
Rory-Joe DanIELS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL ANALYST
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.