A former Alabama quarterback says the challenge facing Kalen DeBoer is bigger than the man on the sideline.
Greg McElroy, who played for the Crimson Tide, argued on the Brandon Walker College Football Show that the sport itself has changed in ways that make recreating Alabama’s old standard far tougher than it used to be. DeBoer stepped into the job heading into 2024 under heavy pressure, taking over one of the sport’s marquee programs after Nick Saban, who won six national championships in Tuscaloosa and built an aura of invincibility around the Tide.
McElroy said that level is no longer easy to chase.
"Getting it back to the Saban level is almost untouchable and almost impossible because the era doesn't lend itself to stacking that type of depth," McElroy said. "So like you lay down in a game now, you can't get replaced because you are clearly the best guy.
Back in Saban's day, there was a natural built in level of accountability that if you don't perform you are replaced because the number two, in some ways, is every bit as good as the one and they just maybe haven't had the experience. It is difficult to create that same type of culture and consistency."
His point lands on the same issue that has reshaped college football everywhere: NIL has altered the landscape in ways that can’t be ignored. In McElroy’s view, that shift isn’t DeBoer’s fault. It’s the reality of the era.
He also said Alabama simply hasn’t matched the talent level fans grew used to seeing.
"I think if you look at Alabama over the last couple of years, just relative to what we have come to expect from the Tide, they haven't been as talented," McElroy added. "I don't know what else to say. I just think this year's roster is a little bit more capable and maybe a little bit better across the board, so it is going to lead to a little bit better consistent performance."
Alabama opens its season against East Carolina this Saturday.
In Other News...
Kalen DeBoer Suddenly Has A Risky Alabama Roster Decision
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For Kalen DeBoer, the complication is whether Alabama could or should get involved if former players Jam Miller and Domani Jackson become available after their releases from NFL teams. Neither has publicly signaled any interest in a college return, and there is still no clear indication that Alabama would try to bring them back. Still, the possibility underscores how quickly a roster plan can become unsettled when the rules, the league and the transfer market are all moving at once. [Read more 🡒]
Keelon Russells Alabama Debut Already Brings One Big Week 1 Debate
The first look at Alabamas 2026 season comes with a little more intrigue than a typical opener. The Crimson Tide are set to welcome East Carolina to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 5, with Kalen DeBoer entering his third season and Keelon Russell taking over at quarterback after Alabamas 11-4 finish and College Football Playoff quarterfinal run a year ago. East Carolina brings its own momentum to Tuscaloosa, arriving off a 9-4 season under Blake Harrell and with Mitch Griffis installed as the new starter.
For Alabama, the conversation around Russell has already started to spill beyond simple debut buzz and into how the matchup itself might look. East Carolina has enough recent success to make this more than a routine warmup, even if the Tide are expected to be the better team on paper. The bigger question hanging over Week 1 is how quickly Alabama can settle in behind its new quarterback and whether the opener will reveal anything meaningful about how far this group can go. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Standouts Are Getting Caught In A Tough NFL Reality
Final roster cuts brought a rough reminder of how unforgiving the NFL can be for undrafted rookies, even ones who arrived with plenty of pedigree from Alabama. As teams pared down to their opening-day groups, linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green, offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts and wide receiver Kobe Prentice all saw their chances interrupted, underscoring how narrow the path can be from college standout to pro survivor.
The squeeze did not stop there for former Crimson Tide players trying to stick at the next level. The New England Patriots also moved on from tight end C.J. Dippre and waived offensive lineman Darrian Dalcourt, adding to the wave of Alabama names now looking for another opportunity as teams settle their rosters and the business side of the league takes over. [Read more 🡒]