Kalen DeBoer’s most important decision during his first year as head coach at the University of Alabama is at quarterback. Who is going to lead the Crimson Tide in 2024?!
There is still a long way to go between now and August 31, when Western Kentucky rolls into Tuscaloosa for the first game of the year. Winter workouts will soon get underway Spring ball is a few months away. Fall camp isn’t even a thought.
Perhaps most importantly, a second transfer portal window is set to open up on April 16. Rosters all across the country are going to change.
However, as things currently stand, DeBoer has three options from which to choose at the most important position on the field. “As things currently stand” is the key here. It’s fluid.
Jalen Milroe firmly stated his intentions to return next season as the incumbent starter. Ty Simpson, a five-star prospect in the college football recruiting Class of 2022 is currently expected to run it back as well. And then there’s Dylan Lonergan, a former four-star recruit in last year’s class who has yet to announce if he is going to stay or leave.
Julian Sayin, the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the 2024 class was also committed to Alabama. He recently announced his transfer to Ohio State.
DeBoer has Lonergan, Simpson and Milroe. Technically, all three of them could still choose to enter the portal. They have 30 days to do so after Nick Saban retired on Jan. 10.
Alabama is keeping its options open at quarterback.
An additional flurry of quarterbacks will hit the portal after the spring practice period. If DeBoer is not satisfied with the guys he has in the system, he could choose to seek someone else.
It is also possible that the 49-year-old could try and add a quarterback in the coming days/weeks. He already missed on one!
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan were prime transfer targets after Jedd Fisch left to take DeBoer’s job in Seattle. According to Fifita’s father, they both received an offer from the Crimson Tide. They both chose to stay in Tucson after the Wildcats’ top donor stepped up with NIL money.
DeBoer whiffed!
There are other potential quarterbacks currently waiting to be courted as well. Some of them might be more interesting in the SEC than others.
Former Mississippi State signal-caller Will Rogers transferred to Washington with plans to succeed Michael Penix Jr. in DeBoer’s system. He reentered the portal after the head coach left. Perhaps they could get back together in Tuscaloosa?
Same thing for Dermaricus Davis, a four-star recruit in 2024. He was also committed to play for the Huskies before DeBoer left. A reunion there seems unlikely.
From there, the list is as follows:
- Jordan McCloud, James Madison
- Jeff Sims, Nebraska
- Tanner Bailey, South Carolina
- Drew Pyne, Arizona State
- Mack Howard, Utah
Those names don’t necessarily jump out off of the page. Especially when you have Milroe, Simpson and Lonergan.
Kalen DeBoer has a decision to make!