There will be no time to relax for Alabama football’s new offensive coordinator. Ryan Grubb is on his way to Tuscaloosa to lead the Crimson Tide’s offense, taking the job he held briefly when Kalen DeBoer first took over as head coach, before he returned to Seattle for a stint with the NFL’s Seahawks.

Grubb arrives to take over an offense that struggled with consistency last season. Here are some of the top challenges he’ll face throughout the rest of the offseason.

Who is Alabama’s next starting quarterback?

It’s the most obvious question of Alabama’s offseason. Jalen Milroe is gone, off to the NFL Draft after two seasons as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback, so who will replace him in 2025?

The candidates include Ty Simpson, who was the Tide’s primary backup for the past two seasons, Austin Mack, who followed DeBoer from Washington, and five-star true freshman Keelon Russell. Simpson is the presumed frontrunner given his experience in 2023 and 2024.

However, Grubb was the primary recruiter at UW for Mack. Could that give the redshirt sophomore an advantage he didn’t previously hold?

On the other hand, Grubb didn’t recruit Michael Penix Jr. out of high school and that worked just fine. Whoever the choice is, it will be a huge decision for both Grubb and DeBoer’s tenures in Tuscaloosa.

What will the Crimson Tide’s run game look like?

Last season, Alabama’s rushing attack centered around Milroe. Meanwhile, in Seattle, one of the major complaints about Grubb was that he didn’t run the ball enough.

Jam Miller returns to Alabama’s backfield, and Justice Haynes transfer to Michigan means Richard Young will likely play an increased part for the Crimson Tide. Grubb will be tasked with remedying one of UA’s weaknesses from the 2024 season, and getting the running backs more involved in the offense.

He likely won’t have the rushing threat at quarterback with Milroe gone. None of the three competing for the job are anywhere near as dangerous out of the backfield.

In the absence of that, perhaps Grubb’s greatest challenge will be figuring out how to make the Crimson Tide effective on the ground.

How will Alabama replace major offensive line pieces?

Grubb got a gift before he joined Alabama, when center Parker Brailsford decided to forego the NFL Draft and return to Tuscaloosa for another season. He’ll also have Kadyn Proctor and Jaeden Roberts back up front.

However, the rest of the group is up in the air. With Elijah Pritchett gone, Alabama will need to figure out whether Wilkin Formby is ready to take over at right tackle full time, or find a starter-quality replacement through the portal.

Opposite Roberts at left guard, the Tide also must find a way to replace Tyler Booker. The battle for that spot will likely include Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry, and freshman Michael Carroll.

For Alabama to be able to run the sort of offense Grubb and DeBoer will want to put in place, getting the offensive line right will be absolutely crucial this offseason.

Alabama football will reportedly keep Nick Sheridan on staff for the 2025 season. After Kalen DeBoer hired Ryan Grubb to take over as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator, ESPN reported Sunday evening that Sheridan will continue with UA, where he served as OC in 2024.

Sheridan was in attendance at Alabama basketball’s Saturday win over Georgia, watching the game with recruits at Coleman Coliseum. He took over the offensive coordinator job last season, after Grubb initially followed DeBoer from Washington to Tuscaloosa, before leaving for a season as OC for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

Sheridan initially held the tight ends coach role with the Crimson Tide, the same job he had at Washington under DeBoer and Grubb. Bryan Ellis took over that job for the 2024 season, after Sheridan was promoted to offensive coordinator.

According to ESPN’s report, JaMarcus Shephard will also remain with Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s wide receivers coach also holds a co-offensive coordinator title.

Sheridan’s lone season as primary offensive coordinator was an up-and-down year for UA. At its best, the offense took advantage of quarterback Jalen Milroe’s talents, best exemplified with wins over Georgia and LSU.

At its worst, Alabama couldn’t find consistency. The group struggled in losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Oklahoma, ruining its hopes of making the College Football Playoff in DeBoer’s first season, before also dropping the ReliaQuest Bowl to Michigan.

Grubb, Sheridan and the rest of the offensive staff will need to find a new starting quarterback for Alabama this offseason. Ty Simpson will compete for the job, along with Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell.

Alabama’s A-Day spring game is scheduled for April 12 in Tuscaloosa. The 2025 season kicks off Aug. 30, when the Crimson Tide travels to Florida State.

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe’s draft stock predicted to make major jump under one condition following Senior Bowl image

Jalen Milroe’s poor accuracy essentially made his draft stock take a nosedive at the worst time: ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. Despite the challenge, the QB has enough going for him to be drafted well.

Milroe was a mixed bag this season, still a work in progress in certain aspects that were exactly the ones on display in Mobile. Yet, his steadily improving performance in Senior Bowl practices and a few terrific games in the season make a strong case for him.

CBS Sports’ John Tatly stressed that these goods of Milroe promises a strong performance in the NFL Combine.

“Of course a quarterback struggling in Senior Bowl practices doesn’t prevent him from potentially being drafted highly and/or having success in the NFL,” Tatly writes.

“It’s a tough situation to walk into with players you’ve mostly never played with before plus new coaches and verbiage. There are players who can excel in that scenario while others like Milroe may fare better in other environments. Milroe will almost assuredly have a terrific 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine and have teams drooling over his athleticism, as they did over the inconsistent Anthony Richardson out of Florida two years ago.

“With Milroe, it comes down to what you want to focus on. Do you like that he’s a terrific runner or are you concerned he leans on it too much and it might not be sustainable in the NFL? How worried are you that his hand size (smaller than 8 3/4) plays a role in his accuracy and fumble issues (24 in 27 starts)?

“Is he the next Jalen Hurts — or Malik Willis?”

There is a strong chance that the QB doesn’t perform well in the NFL Combine. But the scouts will be clear of one thing, Milroe’s learning mindset, before calling the shot.

“I learn so much from my losses, more than my wins, so my losses are when I’m at my best. I just to improve, try to grind and try to compete,” Milroe said summarizing his lessons from NFL coaches at Senior Bowl practices.

Plus, there’s still plenty of time for Milroe to improve after the Senior Bowl game itself raised his draft stock higher.

When Jalen Hurts takes the field for the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, he will be four days older than Tom Brady was when the New England Patriots quarterback made his second Super Bowl appearance. Hurts, at 26 years and 186 days old, will be one of only a few quarterbacks to start two Super Bowls at such a young age, joining Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes, who was also the opponent for Hurts’ first Super Bowl start.

Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs defeated Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023. The same matchup will take place again in Super Bowl LIX.

Hurts is only the seventh quarterback to return to the Super Bowl after losing his first appearance. Of the six others who did so – including the Kansas City Chiefs’ Len Dawson, Miami Dolphins’ Bob Griese, Minnesota Vikings’ Fran Tarkenton, Denver Broncos’ John Elway, and Buffalo Bills’ Jim Kelly – five are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The exception is Craig Morton, who started in his first Super Bowl for the Dallas Cowboys and his second for the Broncos.

Since Jim Kelly in 1991, no quarterback who lost their first Super Bowl appearance has returned to the big game as a starter. However, Hurts’ return to the Super Bowl as a starter breaks that trend, with 29 quarterbacks who lost their first Super Bowl start and did not get a second opportunity as starters.

When Hurts was asked during a Friday press conference for his most memorable moment from his first Super Bowl, he replied, “Next question.” He responded more thoughtfully to the next question: What did he learn from that game, and how would he apply it this time?

Hurts said, “Hindsight is big. I think from a perspective that not many people have experienced it – everything that comes with the week – it’s important. It’s about being a good influence on the guys who haven’t been there before, answering questions, and helping everyone get closer before the game, because at the end of the day, it’s a business trip, and we’ve worked hard to get here. We want to take advantage of it.”

Hurts shared the advice he’s passed on to his teammates: “Take it a day at a time, be diligent, put in the effort, and work throughout the week.” He emphasized that the demands and distractions of Super Bowl week are simply “part of the job” that comes with the profession.

In his first Super Bowl, Hurts made history by becoming the first player in NFL history with 300 passing yards, 70 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns in the same game. The former Alabama quarterback also threw a touchdown pass.

Hurts’ second Super Bowl appearance comes after a strong learning experience, and despite the loss in 2023, he remains motivated by the lessons learned. His drive to improve continues as he seeks to use his past experiences to prepare for the challenge ahead.

Ryan Grubb, who originally traveled to Tuscaloosa from Washington with Kalen DeBoer but departed before the spring game to accept a position with the Seattle Seahawks, was rehired by Alabama football on Sunday.

Additionally, Grubb will take over as DeBoer’s primary play-caller in 2025, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The return of a key staff member to Kalen DeBoer is big news for Alabama.

I’ve been informed that Grubb will call plays for Alabama the next season, which is a big step for the Tide, Thamel wrote on Twitter.

The modified role of 2024’s top play-caller, Nick Sheridan, remains unclear, according to Alex Scarborough of Bama247.

Before Sheridan was hired, Scarborough had already spoken with Grubb that Alabama might consider keeping him in a new capacity.

Scarborough stated, “It is unclear where Grubb would fit on Alabama’s staff.

” No position on the ten-person assistant coaching staff is open. The current quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator is Nick Sheridan.

He helped recruit five-star quarterback Keelon Russell and was with DeBoer at the Senior Bowl on Tuesday. Furthermore, DeBoer hasn’t shown any signs of losing faith in Sheridan’s skills.

In theory, Grubb might be hired as an analyst or given a similar title.

The NCAA gave coaches more leeway with what were once referred to as “off-field” assistants in 2024 when it decided to remove limits on who might teach.

The final recruiting rankings have been made public by the various agencies, and according to 247 Sports, Russell will do well while attending Alabama.

Russell has surpassed Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood to be listed as the top overall talent in the 2025 recruiting class. According to 247 Sports, Russell has a 0.9998 recruit rating. To learn more, visit https://tide1009.com/keelon-russell-named-best-recruit-in-alabama-football-history/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral. Keelon Russell was voted the top recruit in Alabama football history.

Since Andre Smith in 2006, he is the first football player from Alabama to rank top on the 247 Sports recruiting list. For the 6-foot-3, 175-pound quarterback from Duncanville High School, the ascent did not end there. Russell is now ranked as the highest recruit in Alabama football history with a rating of 0.9998. To learn more, visit https://tide1009.com/keelon-russell-named-best-recruit-in-alabama-football-history/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral. Keelon Russell was voted the top recruit in Alabama football history.

For the third time this season, the Crimson Tide won several event titles, with Gabby Gladieux’s fourth straight on-the-floor workout serving as the highlight

ATHENS, GA On Friday night at Stegeman Coliseum, the No. 14 Alabama gymnastics program (1-3, 0-3 SEC) lost to No. 12 Georgia (3-3, 1-1 SEC), 196.575-196.975, despite leading at the midway point and winning multiple event titles in a single meet for the third time this season.

The Saturday afternoon on October 5, 2024, is the date every Alabama fan would like to forget. And why not? They lost against the most unexpected teams in their conference in Vanderbilt. And thus, as the game ended with a glaring scoreline of 40-35, Alabama’s structural problems were hard to ignore.

This game probably sums up their whole 2024 season, where DeBoer and Alabama couldn’t just find their rhythm. But, one would expect the next season to follow their redemption, but their fans aren’t looking that optimistic. But why is that?

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Kalen Deboer knows that the way his season got finished is far from optimistic. Speaking after his last game, he said, “We know that we need to be better.

That’s the expectation I had from day one, is that we perform at a championship level, and we certainly fell short of that. Whether you’re 0-12 or 12-0 in a regular season, you’re always gonna really critique and be detailed on how you’ve gotta improve.” He further added that Alabama will take lessons ahead and will bounce back in the next season. But there are still some perils for Kalen DeBoer to wade…

Alabama faced another conundrum of its own when it lost almost 41 players going into the off-season. Amongst those 25 went to the transfer portal, 13 graduated and the rest 3 opted for the NFL draft. The departed players also include QB Jalen Milroe and Jihaad Campbell (LB). The situation was akin to a mass exodus and Kalen DeBoer is in damage control mode to fill the empty slots.

Amongst the reinforcements in the class of 2025 are 5-star quarterback Keelon Russel, Cornerback Dijon Lee Jr., and 4-star names like Akylin Dear (RB) and Ivan Taylor (CB). Furthermore, the addition of defensive coach Jason Jones will definitely help the team forward. Jones is notably a former Alabama player who has deep connections with the coaching staff and understands the Bama culture well. So will it be all sunny in Bama after all?

Well, Alabama has just announced its 2025 season fixtures and fans could not just stop venting their frustration against De Boer and Alabama. Notably, while their fixtures are relatively not that difficult compared to previous years, still there seems to be no optimism in their loyal fan base. Most of the problems seem to be revolving around their QB problems and their weak offensive line. But, is there any truth to their frustration? Let’s analyze piece by piece.

Bama fans not looking forward to seeing Kalen DeBoer’s team in 2025

We know that Kalen DeBoer is looking to change things in his second year at the Tide. However, some Bama fans haven’t forgotten how his first season fared.

Naturally, the enthusiasm levels for the schedule are a little low right now. One of the users wrote, “I’m gonna say 11-2 just to be optimistic about it. Especially not knowing how our QB play will look“. Another wrote, “Not even a hard schedule. It’s just they aren’t as good as they used to be smh”. These comments highlight some glaring flaws in the QB situation at Alabama.

Well, there are reasons. Jalen Milroe is not there anymore, but his performances also highlighted a deeper issue with the offensive schemes. Take, for example, the game against Oklahoma in which Alabama suffered a humiliating loss by 3-24. In that game alone Milroe was, to put it bluntly, ‘miserable’.

Not only did he concede an interception and two fumbles early on, but couldn’t even land a good penetrating pass to the team’s receivers. Overall, he finished the season with almost 18 turnovers, 11 interceptions, and losing 7 fumbles. However, it’s not at all fair to blame him solely, because the problem in their O line was very visible and demanded immediate rectification. A user commented on the post and put it very bluntly.

The user commented, “Depending on our QB situation and some o-line question marks this could be a demon of a season or the complete opposite“. Furthermore, their woes are not limited to their offense but also extend to the defensive setup. Another user presented it very accurately, “Watch Alabama be the next year FSU. Complain about not making the CFP, lose their bowl game, and then totally go off the rails“.

Well, FSU’s story is a tale for another time, but the user’s observation here is quite accurate. Because this is the first time since 2007 that Alabama has finished without winning at least 10 games, finishing with a 9-4 record. Surely, questions will be raised against Kalen DeBoer who reportedly earns a $10.5 Million salary if the team fails to perform in 2025. So what’s next?

Well, we can only wait and see if Kalen DeBoer can live up to Nick Saban’s legacy and forge his unique identity going into the next season. To do that he must address his quarterback problem. Ty Simpson is an option but it will still not guarantee a 100 percent improvement. Then, his WR room also needs depth, and finally, improve the O line. If these flaws are addressed then only one can bet on Bama in 2025.

The Alabama Crimson Tide fell short of a College Football Playoff spot this season under head coach Kalen DeBoer in his inaugural year. However, quarterback Jalen Milroe remains highly regarded as he now focuses on the NFL draft for his next chapter.

Milroe’s final college football step, the Senior Bowl, has been key in the evaluation process and is where he’s showcasing his skills this week. While his performance on the field has been impressive, his off-field achievements have also gained attention.

In an interview with NFL Network on Wednesday, Milroe was asked how winning the Academic Heisman Award, or William V. Campbell Trophy, given to the top scholar-athlete, has benefited his mental approach to the game.

“It’s all about the details that come with both,” Milroe said. “Being detail-oriented is crucial, but numbers are also important in areas like pass protection, field numbers, and progressions. There’s a lot you can take from school. As a quarterback, it’s about using my keys and making the most of each opportunity when defenses show different looks. I connect the two when I can.”

His academic accomplishments have also garnered attention, particularly his impressive GPA. Milroe became just the seventh NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Alabama, graduating in December 2023 with a 3.52 GPA and a degree in management with a concentration in entrepreneurship. He’s now pursuing a master’s degree in sports management.

His talent on the field has never been in doubt, and neither have his academic abilities. However, in the lead-up to the NFL draft in April, Milroe still has plenty to prove to NFL scouts and teams to increase his draft stock, which currently remains unpredictable. He’ll be playing in the Senior Bowl on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. EST.