Kalen DeBoer came to Alabama with an impressive pedigree as an offensive coach, but his offense saw mixed results in 2024. QB Jalen Milroe was a square peg fit into a round hole in DeBoer's system, and when it came down to it, that cost them from reaching the playoffs. Now Milore is gone, and DeBoer's old buddy Ryan Grubb steps in as offensive coordinator. What's in store for this group in 2025?
The favorite to takeover for Milroe is redshirt junior Ty Simpson. The former 5-star has waited his turn, and the feeling is he can be the right guy to operate DeBoer and Grubb's scheme. He's a more natural passer than Milroe and still enough athleticism to make the occasional play on the ground.
That said, many felt he could have taken the job from Milroe last year, and he didn't. Most likely it was as simple as Milroe's play-making ability being too strong to leave off the field, but it's certainly possible Simpson has his own flaws keeping him off the field. If Simpson can't take control, former Washington transfer Austin Mack and 5-star freshman Keelon Russell will be ready to pounce.
Regardless of who wins the job, they're going to have an excellent group of wideouts to throw to. Ryan Williams shined as a true freshman with 48 catches for 865 yards and eight TDs. He's one of the nation's best, and Germie Bernard and Miami transfer Isaiah Horton are strong options as well.
Lead RB Jam Miller (668 yards, 4.6 YPC, seven TDs) returns with redshirt sophomore Richard Young expected to compliment him. With Jalen Milore gone, this group will have to be more productive, but some of that hinges on the offensive line taking a step forward. That could be made tricky with the loss of 1st round guard Tyler Booker, but a projected 1st round pick returns in left tackle Kadyn Proctor, as does strong starting center Parker Brailsford. Talent isn't an issue up front.
2025 Alabama offense could look more like what we expect from a Kalen DeBoer team
Alabama's offensive philosophy in 2024 was essentially "hope Jalen Milroe makes more explosive plays than back-breaking ones." It paid off in big wins over Georgia and LSU, but against the best defenses the Tide faced, it cost them.
Will more consistency at the QB position, even at the expense of play-making, lead to a playoff run? It's certainly possible. Kalen DeBoer's best teams have had deep groups of skill talent with a QB who can effectively distribute them the ball. The skill talent looks to be in place. If Ty Simpson or another QB can play point guard, this could look more like DeBoer's teams at Washington and Fresno State.
They do need a few new pieces to step up along the offensive line and need more on the ground from non-QBs, but overall, the potential is there for this to be a special unit in Tuscaloosa.