Kalen DeBoer of Alabama holds onto the No. 2 recruiting class.
Nick Saban announced his retirement as the Alabama Crimson Tide’s coach around a month ago. In Tuscaloosa, the dust is starting to settle, and it’s looking like Saban’s heir has a chance to continue the dynasty.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer has accomplished something many felt was impossible in his first month in charge: maintaining a strong roster and recruiting class.
Sure, the Tide lost standout players like Isaiah Bond and Caleb Downs to the transfer portal, but DeBoer also brought in (or kept) elite transfers like defensive lineman LT Overton from Texas A&M and cornerback Domani Jackson from USC, in addition to three outstanding players who had previously worked with DeBoer in Washington.
With the return of five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams and the departure of just two recruits, this incredibly talented squad is still capable of contending for conference titles and even the national championship.
For evidence, take a peek at On3’s most recent recruiting rankings. The Tide’s class is still ranked second in the nation, behind only Georgia, the enduring foe.
The biggest unknown until the season begins in September is whether this club can put together a mix of young players and seasoned veterans to play in a new system.
However, in terms of roster building, DeBoer has so far done a good job of Nick Saban. There might be more trophies in his future if he can do similarly on the field.
