How competitive is Alabama in roster-building? Assistant coaching moves? Mailbag

Welcome to part two of the Alabama athletics mailbag.

Part one was devoted solely to the upcoming quarterback competition.

Now well empty the rest and cover several topics.

As always, thank you for the number of quality submissions.

Without further ado.

GO DEEPER Alabama's quarterback battle: What are the odds for each candidate to win the job in 2025? Note: Submitted questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

How deep are Alabamas pockets for roster-building? In 2025 and beyond, this feels as important as any coaching move.

Brian D.

Id say Alabama is in a good place, but theres still room to grow.

Name, image and likeness efforts have grown significantly in the past year in the fallout of Nick Sabans retirement, and theres evidence to prove that.

Alabama football just signed the No.

2 recruiting class nationally, then retained several upperclassmen who had stay-or-go NFL decisions only three juniors declared for the NFL Draft.

Those things dont happen without a strong NIL effort.

The same can be said for mens basketball, which signed a strong portal class and retained Mark Sears and Grant Nelson after its Final Four run.

Advertisement Now lets look ahead.

The projected house settlement agreement to start later this year allows schools to opt in to revenue sharing with athletes, starting at north of $20 million annually per school .

Hypothetically, lets say schools that opt in on the high end will be around $20 million to $22 million for all student-athletes.

Alabama would be well positioned to spend close to the maximum amount; public records from the 2022-23 fiscal year show Alabama athletics operated with a $212 million budget, the fourth highest in the country behind Ohio State, Texas and Michigan.

The SEC average was $173.9 million, and the FBS average was $100.7 million, according to Sporticos college sports finances database .

Lets say Alabama devotes 90 percent of that amount to football and mens basketball the two sports that turn a profit with football getting $15 million to $16 million per year, mens basketball getting $3 million to $4 million and the rest distributed among other sports.

That adjustment will stretch Alabama athletics, like any other school, but its a strong projection.

Where Alabama needs more growth is within its collective.

Though some schools will dissolve their collectives in this new era, Alabama will not.

Think of it in the rev-sharing era as icing on the cake: The school handles the base, and the collective is the extra arm for the biggest priorities across any sport.

The good news is growth is continuing.

In December, athletic director Greg Byrne publicly called for support after the Jaylen Mbakwe situation ; the collective had 800 new members/renewals within 36 hours.

And the last part, specifically for football: The program needs a strong showing in 2025.

Alabamas biggest selling point for a decade-plus has been winning and developing at a higher rate than any other school.

It doesnt have to be Saban-level, but Alabama needs to re-establish itself for that pitch to continue to resonate.

Advertisement On Thursday the US Department of Education released a memo that classified future revenue distributions from a school to an athlete for his/her NIL rights as financial assistance, which must be made proportionately available to male and female athletes or risk violating Title IX.

This would impact how schools handle revenue sharing.

Its also worth noting that this situation is fluid.

Theres going to be new leadership after the presidential inauguration and its to be determined how Title IX rules will be interpreted and enforced moving forward.

Curious if Year 2 for Kalen DeBoer will generate some in-state recruiting activity.

I struggle with Auburn getting the top talent in Alabama.

Hopefully, this can turn around with a full year in-state.

Joe B.

To reset, lets look at the in-state numbers for the 2025 cycle.

Alabama didnt sign one top-10 player in-state for the first time in the modern recruiting era (2000-present), according to 247Sports.

Of the 18 total four- and five-star players, Alabama signed one: offensive lineman Micah DeBose.

Conversely, Auburn signed seven top-10 players.

On average, Alabama signed five top-10 players per year over the last 20 recruiting seasons.

But Alabama still signed an elite class, one that probably exceeded expectations, all things considered.

With a full year under DeBoer, its understandable to expect a better in-state showing for 2026.

Its an important one, too as it stands, the state of Alabama has seven players ranked in the top 100 in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports.

Alabama has one committed now CB Zyan Gibson and is in the mix for several others.

The staff has been on the road visiting with them in January, including edges Anthony Jones and Hezekiah Harris (committed to Auburn).

Thank you to @AlabamaFTBL for stopping by to recruit our Saints! pic.twitter.com/fYlc8tRCt6 St.

Pauls Football (@spsmobile_al) January 7, 2025 Would Like To Thank @KalenDeBoer @freddierch8 @AlabamaFTBL For Stopping By Jemison High! #BlitzBamaBlitz @DexPreps @GrindLab @RocketCityPreps @UnLockYourGame @DownSouthFb1 @ScoutFball @BOL_On3 @Jdsmith31Smith @AL6AFootball @HallTechSports1 @DrewD977ESPN @2LiveQ_ @Bama_247 pic.twitter.com/DjdeU1lFcN Mae Jemison High Football (@JemisonJags) January 8, 2025 The staff is in a better position now than a year ago, when it was playing catch-up to build relationships.

The last year of hosting underclassmen at camps and visits, then with coaching clinics and a defined winter calendar for events like junior days should create momentum entering the spring and summer periods.

It also doesnt hurt that even though it was disappointing by Alabamas standards, DeBoer won nine games in his debut (including the Iron Bowl), which is a better record than Hugh Freezes first two seasons.

Advertisement Dont be concerned with the number of commitments; classes are written in pencil until signing day.

A strong summer through fall is much better than a lot of commitments in January.

Whats the story on potential coaching moves? Ed M.

Outside of quarterback, the biggest topic in Alabama football is the speculation around a potential reunion between DeBoer and former offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who was fired by the Seattle Seahawks after one season.

Everything is at a standstill.

There havent been reports of Grubb interviewing anywhere else, and Alabama hasnt made any changes to its offensive staff.

Could it happen? Possibly, but making it happen is a different thing.

To bring in Grubb as offensive coordinator, someone would probably need to be moved out of a role.

But who? Would tight ends coach Bryan Ellis, who coached the position for the first time in 2024, be moved to a senior analyst position (probably with quarterbacks), allowing OC Nick Sheridan to move back to tight ends (which he was tabbed to coach originally) and Grubb to move in as OC/QB coach? Thats a lot of shifting, but in theory, it could happen.

Is Sheridan the coach whos repositioned? Or perhaps DeBoer does with Grubb what he did with DC Kane Wommack and makes him a coordinator only, giving each coach one position: Sheridan QBs, Ellis TEs and so forth.

As constructed, that would make 12 full-time assistant coaches, which is a high number.

At this point, its all speculative, but if a move is made, it likely will come in a series that would revamp the offensive staff.

As for what has happened, the moves on defense have been strong.

Elevating Chuck Morrell to linebackers as a familiar voice on past DeBoer staffs will help and give Wommack full autonomy to focus on overseeing the defensive game plan.

Then, having Maurice Linguist as the only defensive backs coach and bringing each DB under one voice should help.

He earned the extra responsibility with his work with the corners this year.

Elsewhere, Jay Nunez has been elevated to special teams coordinator full-time.

Thats one to watch as Alabama replaces its starting kicker, punter and long snapper.

Right now, there are 11 full-time assistants.

If DeBoer had a do-over button for this season, what are some things you think he wouldve done differently? Todd C.

An excellent question as we continue to reflect on the 2024 season.

I think some things were unavoidable (unexpected assistant turnover) and some things hed do the same again (recruiting).

But one big do-over comes to mind.

DeBoer shouldve had more ownership of the offense, particularly taking over play calling.

DeBoer and Grubb had a special chemistry that spanned over a decade; there was trust there with Grubb calling the plays.

DeBoer opted for familiarity with Sheridan and JaMarcus Shephard as co-offensive coordinators, which is understandable given the circumstances, but with Sheridans limited play-calling experience, perhaps DeBoer would choose to control more of the game plan.

Thats not to say he didnt; hes the head coach and an offensive mind the praise when things went well and the blame when things didnt still land at his feet, to some degree.

But it didnt feel like Alabamas offense had an identity week to week.

Maybe a year with DeBoer running the offense and Sheridan (who also elevated to QBs coach) learning under him wouldve led to better results.

Advertisement One smaller thing: DeBoer probably wouldve tried to get more wide receiver help in the spring portal window.

Its easy to say in hindsight because injuries hurt that group, but it turned out not to be as deep as expected.

A friend of mine thinks pass rush is a massive question for next year.

How much better will Alabama pass block and how will it get pressure on defense? Adam C.

Its a well-taken point.

Alabama ranked 61st in sacks allowed and 69th in total sacks in 2024.

Whats the 2025 outlook? Lets start with the offensive line.

According to Pro Football Focus, heres how each lineman fared in pressures allowed (sacks, hits, hurries) in 2024: Pritchett was the biggest liability, and he departed via the portal.

Its a double-edged sword, as Alabama continued to start him, which speaks to his being the better option over Wilkin Formby.

As constructed, Formby will assume starting right tackle duties opposite Kadyn Proctor.

The development of those two is key, especially because theres little experience behind them.

The interior is better positioned.

One of the biggest reasons for the lines struggles was that Jaeden Roberts was battling several injuries; a healthier Roberts in 2025 elevates this group.

Parker Brailsford will be a preseason All-American candidate, and theres experience with Geno VanDeMark and transfer Kam Dewberry .

A strong 2025 high school class has also come in.

Tackle play is the key; Id have it as a fairly major concern.

I have more optimism on defense, where Alabama retained Jah-Marien Latham and LT Overton and signed Florida s Kelby Collins .

Alabamas sack numbers wouldve looked much better if players like Overton had consistently finished their pressures with sacks, so individual importance from one year to the next will solve some of those issues.

Wolf (outside linebacker) is a position to watch.

Qua Russaw is a strong run defender but has a ways to go as a pass rusher.

Behind him are talented players like Yhonzae Pierre , but its an inexperienced group.

If a pass rusher doesnt emerge in spring, expect Alabama to target the transfer portal.

Advertisement In all, Id say likely for defensive improvement, undecided on offense.

This is one of the biggest spring storylines.

With the departure of Justice Haynes , how does the running back depth look? Chad D.

How Alabama revamps the running game in 2025 is another key storyline.

Id describe the depth as stable.

The addition of Louisianas Drelyn Washington was big.

This is a rare case of an experienced player signing without a guarantee to start.

At best, hes part of a rotation that features returning senior Jam Miller and sophomore Richard Young .

The 5-foot-9, 224-pound Washington is a rising senior and was a three-year contributor at Lousiana.

That experience was needed in a room with only one back with significant playing time (Miller).

Miller, Washington and Young are a good top three entering spring, with Daniel Hill , Kevin Riley and Akylin Dear providing talented depth behind them.

Six is a healthy number, and now its a room with experience at the top, a player who has flashed in limited moments (Young) and blue-chip recruits at the bottom.

What is the average person, including me, not seeing when it comes to why Jarin Stevenson remains a starter? Charlie H.

A pivot to mens basketball to end the mailbag.

The other night wasnt Stevenons best game, nor the teams, in a loss to Ole Miss .

But lets focus on Stevenson.

Theres no question his production has been a disappointment relative to expectations.

His shooting has dropped significantly across the board.

But even though hes a consistent starter, his minutes havent changed much.

He averaged 16.6 minutes per game last season and is averaging 17.6 minutes per game this season.

What can be said about Stevenson is his effort.

He has won Alabamas hard hat in two of the last three games, awarded to the player who collects the most blue-collar points in a game.

Heres an example of how its tallied: Jarin Stevenson at #10 Texas A&M 6 PTS 5 REB 3 OREB 3 BLK 1 AST 1 STL 23 MIN pic.twitter.com/7A4nBRdZUV Saturday | 11 AM CT | ESPN (@UARoundballGuy) January 12, 2025 His defense has also improved of late.

He has four multi-block games this season, surpassing last seasons total, and has 10 blocks in Alabamas last six games.

His continued role in the rotation is probably a product of his commitment to doing the little things while his offense lags and the confidence in him by Nate Oats.

Stevenson was a highly rated recruit who played a lot last season and opted to come back for 2024-25.

Hes also playing a different role as a starting small forward versus more of a stretch power forward last season when the frontcourt wasnt as deep.

Hes about the right stuff, Oats said Monday.

I think hes tried to please the coaching staff so much to the point of (being) afraid to make a mistake.

I met with him and just said, Look, man, dont be afraid to make a mistake.

If you think maybe you should do it, just go do it.

Lets just start being more aggressive, lets have an attacking mentality on the defensive and offensive end.

The good news is if these struggles continue to the point where a switch is needed, theres no shortage of good options to try out.

(Photo of Kalen DeBoer: Matt Pendleton / Imagn Images).

This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.