Evaluating Alabama's national championship chances in Kalen DeBoer's first three seasons

The college football national title race feels as open as it’s been in years with no Nick Saban or Jim Harbaugh roaming the sidelines. But could Alabama still compete in year one of a new regime? Andy Staples believes that’s a possibility.

On Thursday morning’s live On3 YouTube stream, Staples was asked by a fan whether Alabama would be able to win a national title within the first three years of Kalen DeBoer’s tenure. His initial response was pretty brief:

“Can Kalen DeBoer win a national title at Alabama within the first three years? The answer is yes,” stated Staples, going one step further. “If things go the right way, he could win it this year at Alabama.”

Staples is a believer in DeBoer, and he also sees a surplus of talent still left in Tuscaloosa after an offseason of guys coming and going.

“Alabama’s loaded. This is a team that won the SEC, made it to the Rose Bowl, played the eventual national champs in the Rose Bowl. Caleb Downs is a major loss, but other than that, they’re doing just fine. You know, of all the really good teams from last year, they probably lost the least.”

Staples continued, breaking down some of those specific personnel losses and gains.

“They did lose Isaiah Bond and Amari Niblack to Texas. But then they bring in Parker Brailsford, the center from Washington. They lost Kadyn Proctor, they got him back. They got Domani Jackson from USC, the defensive back. They got Keon Sabb from Michigan in the defensive backfield. So, they are as talented as just about anybody.”

Compared to the other top contenders, Alabama’s roster is right there with all of them.

“I think Ohio State probably has the most loaded roster in the country. But Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, they’re all on a similar level. Texas is right around that level. Oregon is around that level. But I think Alabama is in a position where they should be one of the favorites in the SEC, even if Georgia or Texas is the best team in the SEC.”

Andy Staples sees Alabama as a clear contender to make the College Football Playoff, and once you get in, there’s no reason they couldn’t make a run to the title.

“Certainly, Alabama looks like a playoff team, and once you get in the playoff, all you got to do is go on a run. So yeah I think it is extremely possible for Kalen DeBoer to win a title in the first three years at Alabama — if not the first year at Alabama.”

If you’re judging by recent results, there’s no reason not to trust DeBoer to have this program in position to compete from year one.

“Remember, he took a team that wasn’t nearly as talented to the national title last year, and you say, ‘okay, it’s the four-team playoff, you can do that.’ But think about this: his Washington team beat a more talented Oregon team twice to win the Pac-12, then beat a more talented Texas team in the Sugar Bowl. So you’ve got the fact that he’s a very good on-field coach.”

With DeBoer’s proven coaching chops, plus a loaded roster at Alabama, the Tide are certainly national title contenders in the immediate future.