Overview of Alabama’s major strength, weakness for 2025 season

Alabama heads into Year Two of the Kalen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa with plenty of questions but full of star power across the board.

DeBoer brings in long-time loyal assistant Ryan Grubb on staff as offensive coordinator, which was the original plan anyhow. Grubb has proven himself at every level in coaching but will face the challenge of working with a brand new starting quarterback.

Bama’s Biggest Weakness

There’s no sure thing that any of the current quarterbacks currently on the roster have what it takes to lead an offense in the SEC. Grubb and DeBoer will host a three-way competition for the starting job between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and true freshman 5-star Keelon Russell.

Deciding on a starter is going to be one of the biggest decisions of DeBoer’s tenure as this could go several different ways with whoever he picks. Simpson brings loyalty to the spot as a former 5-star in the 2021 class who sat behind both Tua Tagavailoa and Jalen Milroe.

Mack signed with Washington out of Folsom High School in Colorado in 2023 but has just three pass attempts in his career, both coming last season with the Crimson Tide. Despite his 6-foot-6, 230 pound frame, Mack wasn’t known to have the ability to extend plays regularly which could lead Grubb to implement a redesign of the offense in 2025.

If DeBoer wants to set his program up for the future, he could start his freshman quarterback who won the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2024. The 6-foot-3, 200 pound quarterback adds an extra dimension on the field with his ability to extend plays as he completed 238-of-343 passes for 4,177 yards, 55 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions along with 321 rushing yards and another three scores.

Tide’s Strength

Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack should have a strong unit this fall with returning players such as LT Overton, Keon Sabb, James Smith and Colorado transfer linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green. Alabama surrendered just 182 yards per game through the air (No. 19 nationally) and a shade over 17 points per game (No. 10 nationally).

Wommack has plenty depth, experience and talent at all three levels at his disposal defensively to keep Alabama hanging around in games if the offense can’t hold up its end of the deal. With the transfer portal opening April 16, it would be wise for the coaching staff to target a defensive lineman and another defensive back to solidify its depth chart.

SEC FEED

• Former Georgia wideout finds new home via transfer portal

• Aggies add another big time prospect to 2026 class

• Ole Miss beats out conference foes for highly recruited RB

• SEC RB receives extra year of eligibility, enters portal