Look, let's be honest about the vibe in Tuscaloosa right now. It's weird. For fifteen years, we lived in this "Saban Bubble" where the biggest drama in January was whether the defensive coordinator would take a head coaching job at a mid-tier SEC school. Now? You refresh al com crimson tide football and your heart rate jumps because three starters just hit the portal and a five-star recruit from Mississippi is suddenly "re-evaluating" his commitment.
The 2025 season was a wild ride, to say the least. Kalen DeBoer finished 11-4, which is a "down year" by Alabama standards but would be a statue-worthy performance almost anywhere else. That Rose Bowl loss to Indiana—a sentence I still can't believe I'm writing—left a bitter taste. 38-3 is a beatdown. It exposed some things. It showed that while the offense can be explosive, the depth isn't where it used to be.
The State of AL Com Crimson Tide Football in 2026
We are currently in the thick of the "Roster Reconstruction" era. If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you know the NFL Draft deadline on January 14 was a massive pivot point. Ty Simpson is gone to the league. That hurts. He was the bridge. Now, the keys to the car are likely being handed to Keelon Russell or Austin Mack, and that’s a lot of pressure for a young signal-caller in this conference.
But it’s not all doom and gloom.
Actually, the defense just got a massive shot in the arm. Keon Sabb and Yhonzae Pierre are coming back. That is huge. Pierre was basically a human wrecking ball last year with eight sacks, and keeping him out of the draft (or the portal) is arguably DeBoer’s biggest "win" of the month. You need those alpha dogs when you're trying to re-establish a culture that feels a bit... shaky.
👉 See also: Calendario de la H: Todo lo que debes saber sobre cuando juega honduras 2025 y el camino al Mundial
Recruiting and the Portal Chaos
The recruiting trail looks a little different these days. It’s less about "process" and more about "presence." DeBoer and his staff, including new additions like Derrick Nix, are having to fight in the trenches for every single signature.
- Ezavier "EJ" Crowell: This kid is the real deal. A 5-star back from Jackson who chose to stay home.
- Cederian Morgan: A 6-foot-6 target that makes cornerbacks look like they’re in middle school.
- The O-Line Fix: We lost Kadyn Proctor to the draft and Parker Brailsford, too. Bringing in Ty Haywood from Michigan was a necessary move.
The reality is that Alabama is no longer the "default" choice for every elite player. Programs like Texas, Georgia, and even Indiana are throwing around serious NIL weight. You can see it in the way the fans are reacting on social media. There’s a segment of the fan base that is—frankly—panicking. They see Cam Coleman heading to Texas and they think the sky is falling.
Is it? Probably not.
But the margin for error is gone. In the Saban era, you could lose a couple of guys and the next five-star would just slide into the slot. Now, if a starter leaves, you’re scouring the portal for a replacement from the Big Ten or the Big 12. It’s a different game.
✨ Don't miss: Caitlin Clark GPA Iowa: The Truth About Her Tippie College Grades
What Most People Get Wrong About DeBoer
There's this narrative that DeBoer is "too soft" or that the "culture is failing." Honestly, that feels like a lazy take. The guy is 20-8 in two years in the hardest conference in sports while following a literal legend.
The problem isn't the coaching; it's the adaptation.
Alabama is transitioning from a machine-like program to a more modern, flexible organization. That comes with growing pains. You’re going to have games where the team looks disorganized. You’re going to have portal windows where it feels like more is going out than coming in.
The 2026 Outlook: What Needs to Happen
If Alabama wants to get back to the CFP semifinals and beyond, a few things have to click by the time spring ball rolls around.
🔗 Read more: Barry Sanders Shoes Nike: What Most People Get Wrong
- Settle the QB Battle Early: Whether it’s Russell or a portal addition, the team needs a leader. The "wait and see" approach won't work with the schedule they have.
- Solidify the Trenches: The offensive line was a revolving door at times last year. Chris Kapilovic has his work cut out for him.
- Keep Ryan Williams Happy: He’s the crown jewel. In the era of unlimited transfers, you have to recruit your own roster every single day.
The fans who check al com crimson tide football every morning are looking for stability. They want to know that the "Bama Standard" still exists. It does, but it looks different. It’s more about grit and less about inevitability.
The 2026 signing class is ranked No. 2 for a reason. The talent is there. The coaching pedigree is there. Now, it’s just about whether they can mesh that talent into a unit that doesn’t fold when things get tough.
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the remaining portal targets, specifically at wide receiver and interior defensive line. Those are the spots that will determine if 2026 is a championship run or another "building year."
Next Steps for Tide Fans:
- Monitor the transfer portal deadline on January 16 for any last-minute additions to the offensive line.
- Check the spring practice schedule (usually released in February) to see the first glimpses of the Russell-to-Williams connection.
- Support the NIL initiatives like "Yea Alabama," as these have become the primary tools for roster retention in the current landscape.