Everything Kalen DeBoer said before Regions Tradition Pro-Am

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer participated in his first Regions Tradition Pro-Am on Wednesday. Before teeing off at Greystone Golf & Country Club, DeBoer briefly spoke to reporters on the driving range. Below is a transcript of everything he said.

DeBoer’s opening statement…

“It’s just great to be here. What an event. My first time here, so just really looking forward to spending some time. I’m not sure about the golf game piece, but just seeing all the fans and seeing everyone that supports our program. Looking forward to a great day.”

DeBoer on why it was important to be here in his first year…

“I think just being out in the community. There’s great causes that everything supports. So just being out here and signing autographs and seeing the excitement, it continues to motivate you. I think you’ve gotta be driven in the first place, but seeing everyone out here and the excitement for this fall, it’s a lot of fun to be a part of.”

DeBoer on how the transfer portal has treated Alabama…

“I think it’s been really good. I feel like we will improve our roster when it’s all said and done. There wasn’t a lot of spots left for us to be able to bring some players in, so we’ve had to be real choosy. As guys have entered, we’ve continued to tweak and adjust our plan. But I think we’re right where we want to be and getting close to finalizing these last couple spots on the team.”

DeBoer on the center position after James Brockermeyer’s departure…

“Every player’s got their reasons for wanting to kind of test the waters and check things out. So I appreciate talking more about our guys on our team, but we always will have nothing but respect for him and the efforts he’s put into our program, just like every other player who poured all they have into it. I think we’ll have some guys within our team that can bridge that gap that is left, and I think we’ll be just fine.”

DeBoer on if he expects Parker Brailsford to be with the team this summer…

“Yeah, absolutely. Yep, absolutely. No question.”

DeBoer on how he feels about his golf game, dream golf partner…

“Well, that would be Tiger Woods. He’s just so captivating when it comes to the golf game. But this could be interesting out here. The one thing I know is that the fans will never be worried about me playing too much golf and focusing on football after they watch what happens today.”

DeBoer on where he wants to see Jalen Milroe improve this summer…

“He really came a long ways in processing, playing the game, moving the chains. And so just when he hits fall camp, I think just having 100 percent confidence in every concept we put in, especially in the first week or two that he’s had rep after rep after rep and can not just execute but also run the whole show. Just telling every guy what their responsibility is. And so it goes beyond your position, it goes on to leading the rest of the offense.”

DeBoer on if there is more clarity on Jalen Hale’s recovery from injury…

“This season will certainly be a tough one, but I don’t wanna also say that he would be out the entire year. Also, it depends on how long the season goes. He’s done an amazing job, and the process and recovery for him has been sped up just even since the injury happened back in the spring. He’s got an amazing mindset about him, and because of that, that’s why he’s having that progress at such a fast pace.”

DeBoer on what flavor milkshake will he celebrate with after he wins today…

“I’m sure I’m gonna have plenty of time to figure that one out here in the years to come. So I’m not sure, I’m not sure.”

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