Kalen DeBoer details Alabama's approach to spring transfer window

The spring transfer portal window opened on Tuesday, and as of Thursday morning, there are no scholarship Alabama players in the portal in the first days of the 15-day window.

Things can – and most likely will – change, but Kalen DeBoer was asked about the non-existent flood of players out of the program after his first spring as the Crimson Tide coach.

“I would have hoped that it is what we’re going through right now,” said DeBoer on The Next Round on Thursday. “Of course, we still got a couple of weeks left of that and things can change. Guys are still always trying to figure out where they’re at in their career, but I just think we’re in a great position, considering everything that has happened with the major transition.

“I’m proud of our staff for developing some relationships. I’m proud of how they’ve really helped to show guys their role in the team and helped the buy-in to those roles happen. There’s almost 130 guys on our team, and we’re meeting with them individually, one-on-one, every single one of them, so those are really important meetings that are happening right.”

Alabama saw 28 players transfer from the program either during or after the 2023 season. That number included 10 players who moved on after Nick Saban retired and DeBoer was brought in as his replacement. One of those, left tackle Kadyn Proctor, has since chosen to return to Tuscaloosa after three months at Iowa, which will help out the offensive line.

That remains a position of need for the Tide, DeBoer reiterated on Thursday. As is defensive back. On Thursday, On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported that Alabama has offered Florida State transfer Greedy Vance, who has spent the past four seasons in the ACC (2 years at FSU, 2 years at Louisville). The Crimson Tide needs to add depth at both positions.

“We have a few scholarships left open,” DeBoer said. “You’re just looking for the right fit. I want to be really sensitive to the culture of our team. You don’t want to bring one in and lose two or three because of how that comes across and how it’s perceived. But if it’s someone who can really help our program, you’ve always got your eyes open and paying attention.

“… Offensive line, just numbers. When you look at just sheer numbers, offensive line and defensive backs – I’ve said it now for a couple of weeks, you could say going back before we even started spring ball – it’s not even necessarily about the talent, which you’re always looking for that top talent, but it’s about just sheer numbers to practice and to be able to get the competition that you need out there. And defensive back-wise, those a lot of your guys that are involved in special teams, too. Gotta run down there and tackle. 

“I love the guys that we have. I’m very confident. When you put up Malachi (Moore) and Keon (Sabb) out there, and Red (Morgan) did an amazing job and DeVonta (Smith) at the Husky position and it goes on and on. Those guys did a great job, so it’s not even about that. It’s just about bringing in some guys that can help our program, help our team be better. Take some snaps here and there on defense but also give us some depth and help us out with special teams.”

One position Alabama is unlikely to add or lose a player from is quarterback. Jalen Milroe is back after starting 13 games last year and remains at the top of the Tide pecking order. But Ty Simpson is coming off a strong spring and looks to be sticking around rather than transferring. Alabama also has Dylan Lonergan and Austin Mack in its four-player room.

Much like he did all spring, DeBoer spoke highly of the quarterbacks on The Next Round.

“I know that you always go right to who the starter is, but there’s some great talent,” DeBoer said. “I can’t express the appreciation they have for just believing in our process and believing in what we’re doing. You see from the beginning of the spring, every single one of those guys improved, becoming more comfortable in the offense. Improving doesn’t mean they’re perfect. There’s a throw here throw there, a read, you can see it in the spring game, I’ve seen it in the scrimmages, but man, they’re all in. 

“They’re diving into the playbook and they believe in the development that they’re going to get in this program. Nick Sheridan has done an amazing job, I think, really trying to continue to foster the competition amongst the group, but also those guys, it’s really neat to see their relationship and their trust in each other, their belief in each other. And those friendships continue to grow. So he’s done an amazing job, not just with the offense but with the quarterback room.”

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