Olaus Alinen, Wilkin Formby confirm their return to Alabama in 2024

The Alabama Crimson Tide have had to deal with numerous players departing Tuscaloosa and hitting the transfer portal this offseason, in dealing with the aftermath of Nick Saban’s retirement. On Wednesday evening, they got some great news–two of their offensive linemen are returning to Alabama. Olaus Alinen and Wilkin Formby announced on their Twitter pages they’ll be returning to the Tide for 2024.

Roll Tide!🐘 Year 2! pic.twitter.com/ZSrm6z9OAX

— Olaus Alinen (@alinen_olaus) January 17, 2024

In the 2023 cycle, Alinen was rated as the No. 168 overall player in the country and a four-star prospect, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He played his high school football for The Loomis Chaffee School (Windsor, Connecticut).

Then there was the other announcement from Wilkin Formby.

Let’s do it https://t.co/BhkZ4rnMFj

— Wilkin Formby🦍 (@wilkinformby) January 17, 2024

In the 2023 recruiting cycle, Formby was one of the most highly touted members of that class. According to the On3 Industry Rankings, he was rated as the No. 94 overall player in the country and a four-star prospect. Formby played his high school football for Northridge, which is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

They’ll be joining a new era of Alabama football, as Kalen DeBoer, former Washington head coach, has been tabbed as the new man to lead the Crimson Tide on the gridiron.

Inside Kalen DeBoer’s resume, tall task he’s facing as he replaces Nick Saban at Alabama

DeBoer’s resume is impressive. Over his nine years as a head coach — four at NAIA Sioux Falls from 2005-09, two at Fresno State from 2020-21 and two at Washington from 2022-23 — he has a 104-12 career record. That includes a 25-3 record with the Huskies, and he took the program to its first-ever national championship game, where they fell to Michigan Monday night in Houston.

DeBoer is also known as an impressive offensive mind, spending most of his career as an offensive coordinator before becoming a head coach. Now, he’s gearing up to replace Saban — which he noted in his statement.

“I have always had an incredible respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence,” DeBoer said. “The tradition-rich history of this program is unmatched across the landscape of college athletics, and I look forward to continuing that moving forward. Following Coach Saban is an honor. He has been the standard for college football, and his success is unprecedented. I would not have left Washington for just any school. The chance to lead the football program at The University of Alabama is the opportunity of a lifetime.

“My family and I feel truly blessed and look forward to becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community. I want to thank Director of Athletics Greg Byrne, President Stuart R. Bell, Chancellor Finis St. John and The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees for their belief in me to lead this program.”

Saban spent 17 years at Alabama, leading the Crimson Tide to six national championships and winning 201 games during that time. In addition to his trophies, he developed an extensive coaching tree, featuring plenty of big-name coaches such as Texas’ Steve Sarkisian and Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin, among many others.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this article.