Kalen DeBoer shares concern over Alabama's defensive back spot in 2024

The Alabama Crimson Tide are looking to return to the College Football Playoff at the end of the 2024 campaign, but this time under new management. The Crimson Tide entered the Kalen DeBoer coaching era after Nick Saban retired following the end of the 2023 season.

As DeBoer looks ahead toward the 2024 campaign, the Alabama head coach sees an area of opportunity that could potentially derail their chances of capturing the national championship this season. At this year’s SEC Football Media Days, the new Alabama head coach revealed that he is concerned about his defensive secondary.

“I think it’s pretty clear there was more experience that left our roster in the defensive backfield,” said DeBoer. “Now, again, thanks to Coach, there’s a lot of great youth that I think can be developed and get on the football field, is gonna have to get on the football field, sooner than later. It’s very promising. These guys have the right mindset and they’re extremely talented. But as a whole, I think we put out a great lineup of guys that have experience, a Malachi Moore, a Keon Sabb who transferred in from Michigan, a Domani Jackson, corner.

“There’s a lot of other guys that don’t have that experience or are younger that are taking advantage of the days they have right now and they need to have a great August. There’s going to be moments we go through, but we have the right people. We have the right people, talent-related, personality, character-related, work ethic. I’m convinced that we’ll get there and continue to go in the right direction.”

The Crimson Tide does have a ton of talent at defensive back. However, as DeBoer pointed out, the group lacks experience. At corner, Alabama does have junior Domani Jackson, who is expected to start this season, but after him are a handful of freshmen who are expected to play huge roles in the secondary this season.

DeBoer understands that he has a defensive back group that would be considered elite in terms of talent. But talent will get you only so far. The experience of knowing what to look for and what to expect will go a long way in limiting the opposition’s passing attack, especially in the SEC when you have to line up against the likes of Missouri’s Luther Burden, LSU’s Kyren Lacy, and Ole Miss Tre Harris to name a few.