Kalen DeBoer discusses film prep for No. 2 Georgia, what he's taken from Kentucky game

Kalen DeBoer’s first game in the crucible of SEC competition is against one of the best teams in the country, as Georgia is set to visit Alabama. But the Crimson Tide’s new head coach is looking in some key places to learn all he can about the competition.

First and foremost, he’s been digging into the film of Georgia’s most recent game, a 13-12 slog victory over Kentucky. Speaking on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Friday, DeBoer shared some of what he’s taken away from that tape, including that Georgia is likely far more dangerous than it seemed that night.

“Yeah, I think the part you said, there: It’s early in the season and so there is — every team is still trying to work out the kinks and you hope you have a really good sense of what your identity is, but some times it’s a little different than even what you thought,” DeBoer said. “And you’re trying to build that. The Kentucky game against Georgia, just extremely physical and you certainly do look at that and you try to take from it but you also know, especially with the bye week here that Georgia is going to continue to evolve, continue to understand what they do well and find the ways that they feel that they can attack us the best.”

But DeBoer is also looking beyond just the last game on tape, too.

He knows there’s plenty to be gleaned from the last Alabama-Georgia matchup, the 2023 SEC Championship Game where the Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs with many of the same players still on each roster.

“And so you look at that game but you’ve gotta look at, also, more things,” DeBoer said. “There was a game played last fall, last December, the championship and there’s a lot of the same personnel on both sides and scheme as well. Of course offensively, defensively we’re a little different but we’re going to take the things from that and add to everything else we’re putting in when it comes to the game plan.”

DeBoer also dished on an exciting freshman talent

Ryan Williams has been a freshman phenom through his first three games at Alabama. It has come as no surprise to DeBoer, though, with what he has seen from the young wideout since his arrival on campus.

DeBoer spoke highly of Williams during his appearance on McAfee on Friday. He knows how incredible that he is considering his age compared to what he has already done through his appearances at the collegiate level.

“It’s really cool. What you really try to guard against, especially early on, is too much hype, you know. You know, the summer before he has even played one play, fall camp? You can see each and every day what he’s capable of, the plays he’s making.”

“Being around him then, you can just see the mindset he has and how impressive it is considering his age and the experiences or lack of experiences that he’s been through. He’s made the plays.”