Tuscaloosa is quiet right now. Too quiet. If you’ve spent any time around Bryant-Denny lately, you know that "quiet" usually means Kalen DeBoer and his staff are behind closed doors trying to figure out how to stop the bleeding. The 2025 season was a rollercoaster that ended in a thud against Indiana on New Year’s Day. Now, the latest news alabama football fans are waking up to is a roster that looks more like a construction site than a finished product.
It’s stressful. Honestly, being a Bama fan in the post-Saban era feels a bit like walking a tightrope in a hurricane. One minute you’re on an eight-game winning streak; the next, you’re watching your star quarterback sign NFL Draft papers while the transfer portal swallows half your defensive line.
The Quarterback Void and the Battle for the Air
Ty Simpson is gone. That’s the big one. Despite the $6.5 million NIL carrot dangled by Miami and massive offers from SEC rivals like Tennessee, Simpson decided to go pro. He wasn't perfect, but he gave this team 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns when they desperately needed stability.
So, who’s next?
The latest news alabama football insiders are tracking is a two-horse race that’s going to define the DeBoer era. You’ve got Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. Both stayed put when they could have easily bounced. That loyalty matters. But potential doesn't win games in the SEC—production does.
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Mack has the frame. Russell has the "it" factor. Then you’ve got the freshmen, Jett Thomalla and Tayden Kaawa, waiting in the wings. It’s a young room. Scary young. If Ryan Grubb can’t find a starter who can handle the pressure of a night game in Baton Rouge, 2026 could be a long year.
Defensive Wins and Portal Woes
It’s not all bad news. In fact, some of the most critical latest news alabama football updates involve the guys who didn't leave. Getting safety Keon Sabb and edge rusher Yhonzae Pierre back is massive. Pierre is a monster. He led the team with 45 quarterback pressures last year and he’s only getting better.
But look at the departures.
- LT Overton (NFL)
- Tim Keenan III (NFL)
- Justin Jefferson (Out of eligibility)
- Deontae Lawson (NFL)
Basically, the entire spine of the defense is being replaced. Kane Wommack is a great defensive coordinator, but he’s currently playing a game of roster Tetris. He’s bringing in USC transfer Devan Thompkins and Virginia Tech’s Caleb Woodson to fill the gaps. Will it be enough? Maybe. But losing five-star talents like Keon Keeley and James Smith to the portal stings in a way that’s hard to ignore.
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The Running Game: AK Dear and the Search for Speed
Last year, the run game was... well, it was rough. Jam Miller led the team with barely 500 yards. You just can’t win a title with those numbers.
The bright spot? AK Dear is returning. The kid is lightning. He had a 56-yard touchdown run against ULM that was the longest of the season for any Bama back. He only had 19 carries all year, but he averaged over seven yards a pop.
The staff is high on him. They’re also high on incoming 5-star freshman Ezavier "EJ" Crowell. Between Dear, Crowell, and Daniel Hill, the talent is there. The question is the offensive line. Michael Carroll is the only "vet" left in that room, and even he’s only a sophomore. DeBoer is leaning hard into a youth movement up front, bringing in guys like Ty Haywood and Kaden Strayhorn from Michigan. It's a gamble. A big one.
What Most People Get Wrong About DeBoer
There’s this narrative that the "Alabama Standard" is slipping. People see the losses to Florida State and Indiana and assume the sky is falling.
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It’s not.
Look at the recruiting rankings. Alabama still has a top-five class. Ryan Williams is staying. Despite a "sophomore slump" where he was basically invisible for stretches, he’s still a generational talent. If the coaching staff can "fix" him and find a quarterback who can actually get him the ball, the offense will be fine.
The real issue isn't talent. It’s experience. In the old days, Bama reloaded with juniors who had been in the system for three years. Now, they’re reloading with portal transfers and true freshmen. It’s a different kind of building process.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you're trying to keep up with the latest news alabama football cycle, here is what you actually need to watch over the next few months:
- The Portal Deadline: The winter window closes Friday, January 16th. Watch for one more big name on the defensive line or at wide receiver. The staff is still "scouring the market," especially for an experienced tackle.
- Spring Ball Scrimmages: This is where the Mack vs. Russell debate gets real. Don't listen to the hype—look at the completion percentages in the A-Day game.
- NIL Announcements: Yea Alabama (the NIL collective) is the most important player on the roster right now. Their ability to retain guys like Keon Sabb is the only reason this team didn't completely fall apart in January.
- Coaching Stability: With JaMarcus Shephard and Nick Sheridan gone, keep an eye on how Bryan Ellis (QBs) and Derrick Nix (WRs) mesh with Ryan Grubb. A new offensive chemistry takes time.
The 2026 season is going to be a litmus test for Kalen DeBoer. He’s got the recruits. He’s got the facilities. Now he has to prove that his "fine line" between being good and being at the top actually exists.
Keep an eye on the Spring roster updates. The "Bandit" position depth and the offensive line's weight gain over the summer will tell you everything you need to know about whether this team is ready to return to the College Football Playoff or if they're still a year away.