Kalen DeBoer shares first impression of Alabama’s secondary transfers

Alabama will be a very different looking football team in 2024, and not just because Kalen DeBoer is the head coach. Along with a new face on the sideline, Alabama has a plethora of new players on the roster via the transfer portal.

Perhaps nowhere is the infusion of new talent more noticeable than in the secondary. On top of plenty of old faces leaving for the NFL or transfers, five new defensive backs arrived via the transfer portal.

It’s a group that DeBoer is excited to see work, even if things were a bit slow to start during the first practice of fall camp.

“I always like to see the film before I make too many comments on missed assignments or anything like that. One or two plays I think might be a little bit more — that happened because of maybe those guys being in there and just not in sync completely,” DeBoer said. “But that’s expected. Practice 1, new faces out on the field. But I love their energy, I love their attitude. They give great effort.”

All told Alabama brought in a pair of cornerbacks and two safeties via the transfer portal this offseason: Penn State safety King Mack, Michigan safety Keon Sabb, Charlotte safety Kameron Howard, USC cornerback Domani Jackson and Wake Forest corner DaShawn Jones.

And what’s impressed DeBoer the most about the group so far — and most of what he’s been privy to — is how the group has meshed with their teammates off the field.

“They’ve really meshed well with the whole team,” DeBoer said. “I think there’s a ton of respect by their teammates. That’s what you want. A lot of that starts with just that character and the work ethic. They’ve got ability, now it’s just a matter of getting those reps so they can be confident in themselves and others and be confident in their ability and believing they’re going to be in the right spot.”

DeBoer is excited about a certain young receiver

Alabama has one of the most exciting young receivers in the nation in true freshman Ryan “Hollywood” Williams. And DeBoer has been pleased with the progression of the young wideout.

While he wouldn’t pin any specific expectations on the former Top 10 national recruit, DeBoer seems keen to let the young wideout get some reps early on in his career. And to do that, DeBoer is harping on the fundamentals with Williams.

Because when those take hold, DeBoer told media recently, the talent that oozes out of Williams can really get put on display.

“Consistently, just in this trajectory on up,” DeBoer said, flattening his hand and moving it up past his face on an angle. “I don’t need him Day 1 — I mean you want every play to be amazing, explosive, but we just want him lining up right, doing the fundamental things, making the easy plays and because of his ability, the big ones will come. So, when you’re routes on air, run a good route, catch the ball, accelerate out with good ball security. And you find those consistent fundamentals and you stack days and those plays that we know he’ll be capable of making will happen.”