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Why Kalen DeBoer said 'continuity' defines Alabama football heading into summer
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Why Kalen DeBoer said 'continuity' defines Alabama football heading into summer
HOOVER, Ala. — Kalen DeBoer knows exactly where Alabama football stands heading into the summer. And it's something the Crimson Tide coach seems happy about.
During the spring NCAA transfer portal period, Alabama did not lose a scholarship player, something DeBoer took a step further.
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"We really didn't have any issues, any guys at all that really came forward where we had to feel like we had to fight to keep them," DeBoer said May 14 before teeing off as a part of the celebrity pro-am at the Regions Tradition golf tournament in Hoover. "It's never perfect, but we feel like it's in a good spot."
DeBoer said he sees an Alabama team that "made a commitment" to "get back to work," one that focuses "on the right things" and one that will thrive because of its continuity.
"We've been able to take things, because of our continuity, both with the coaching staff and our players, to another level when it comes to the details," DeBoer said. "That's got to continue. We're far from where we need to be yet, but there's good momentum. I feel that. I think individually, our guys see a value, they see a role they can bring to our team in different capacities. ... And that's great to see. As they refer to, the brotherhood, I think, is very important. That chemistry. It starts with our staff. They feel that. They feel like there's been alignment on down to each position group and the guys within those rooms. I'm excited that that continuity can exist."
Kalen DeBoer talks Alabama football transfers
Alabama did not remain stagnant during the spring transfer portal period, though.
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The Crimson Tide added two tight end transfers in Troy's Brody Dalton and West Virginia's Jack Sammarco , additions DeBoer said that give Alabama "a little bit of young and old" and more size at a position of need heading into 2025.
After losing CJ Dippre and Robbie Ouzts to the NFL, and with Danny Lewis out for the spring. DeBoer said adding tight end depth was vital, saying the staff had to "make sure that we had enough depth, enough options as we go through the summer."
Dalton, who played at both UAB and Troy, has one season left of eligibility, while Sammarco has three after playing his freshman season with the Mountaineers.
"Those two that joined us here after spring ball, really looking forward to them getting to work," DeBoer said. "They are great kids. Again, one younger, one older, but I think they both have a body type that's going to be bigger, put some good weight on them, play both their hand in the dirt and off the ball, be versatile that way."
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Where Alabama football stands with injuries into summer
Much like Lewis, DeBoer specified that many Alabama players who were "not a full go this spring" may not be ready until closer to fall camp.
This includes Alex Asparuhov, the freshman punter who was out for spring with an injury. Alabama also added Blake Doud, the former Colorado School of Mines punter, via the transfer portal to compete with Asparuhov for punting duties this fall, a battle DeBoer expects the freshman to be a part of.
"Alex will be cleared," DeBoer said. "That's the expectation there. From our standpoint, we wanted to make sure that we had a couple different options. Just him not having the level of training, the level of work that he'd have if he were healthy in the spring and summer, that's something we wanted to make sure we guarded against. He's really coming along. He's an athlete, he's strong, strong kid. Seems like he's, his recovery process has gone well. We expect him to be cleared and be part of the competition."
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Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Kalen DeBoer said 'continuity' defines Alabama football heading into summer
