Kalen DeBoer urging Alabama to 'take that next step' in A-Day game

Alabama is set to host the first A-Day game without Nick Saban in well over a decade, as Kalen DeBoer takes over as the head coach of the Crimson Tide.

He’s itching to get going, with plenty of hype leading into Saturday afternoon’s game.

“Yeah it’s been awesome. It’s been an awesome spring and today’s been super special,” DeBoer told ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath on the broadcast of the game. “Lot of events, lot of alumni coming back, of course, today with the A-Day Game.

“The guys are fired up, they’re excited to showcase what they’ve been working on. Really looking forward to seeing us take the next step, and that was the challenge that I just took to them in the locker room.”

Alabama is not one of the programs dealing with a quarterback change this fall, one thing that will help soften the transition to DeBoer this fall.

Returning starter Jalen Milroe will be an early Heisman Trophy favorite thanks to his arm and his ability to make things happen with his legs. He was elite in the second half of the season in 2023 after being benched following the first two games.

Milroe went 187-of-284 (65.8%) passing for 2,834 yards, with 23 touchdowns against just six interceptions. He also ran for 531 yards and 12 scores.

He’ll be the central figure for Alabama this fall, but he’ll need as much help as he can get if the Crimson Tide want to return to the College Football Playoff.

That starts with today’s spring game.

“I just want to see everyone continue to improve. Take that next step,” DeBoer said. “Obviously there’s some positions that have some competition going on. Want to see them just embrace this moment, see how they are when there’s a crowd in front of them, not just a normal practice when no one’s watching.”