On The Flats, he will work with the coaching staff of former Alabama offensive line coach Brent Key.

Ekiyor Jr. played for former Alabama head coach Nick Saban for five seasons. For the Crimson Tide, the Indiana native made 40 starts. He started most of his games at the guard position.

He was a vital member of the offensive front the next two seasons and helped lead Alabama’s offensive line, which finished with the No. 1 scoring offense in 2020. Ekiyor Jr. led the club with 31 knockdown blocks in his final season in Tuscaloosa and remained a formidable force along the offensive line.

Ekiyor Jr. would go undrafted and sign with the Indianapolis Colts. He spent a little over three months with the Colts before being waived in a serious of roster moves made by the organization. Now, he appears to be pursuing a coaching career.

Interestingly enough, Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key actually recruited Ekiyor Jr. to Alabama out of high school.

When Ekiyor Jr. arrived on campus, Key had departed Alabama to accept the head coaching post at Georgia Tech.

 

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Home of Athlon Sports Home College Kalen DeBoer’s first season grade at Alabama is dreadful. Shelton, J.C.EST, January 22, 2025, 3:55 PM In this narrative: Crimson Tide of Alabama Alabama Crimson Tide: Begin Talking ESPN has released a grade for Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first season with the Crimson Tide as he enters Year 2. When DeBoer, 50, took over the championship level program following Nick Saban’s illustrious career, he had a special challenge. DeBoer was hired from Washington when Saban retired from coaching after 17 seasons and six national titles. Despite being a native of Milbank, South Dakota, DeBoer had a history of success as a coach in the South.

Subscribe to Athlon Sports’ daily newsletter. Home of Athlon Sports Home College Jayden Daniels of Washington Describes Their Victory Over Detroit as a “Surreal Moment” Kalen DeBoer’s first season grade at Alabama is dreadful. Shelton, J.C.EST, January 22, 2025, 3:55 PM In this narrative: Crimson Tide of Alabama Alabama Crimson Tide: Begin Talking ESPN has released a grade for Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first season with the Crimson Tide as he enters Year 2.

When DeBoer, 50, took over the championship level program following Nick Saban’s illustrious career, he had a special challenge. DeBoer was hired from Washington when Saban retired from coaching after 17 seasons and six national titles. The native of Milbank, South Dakota, had never served as a coach in ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg initially scored Alabama’s hiring of DeBoer an A-, emphasizing his down-to-earth manner and track record. However, DeBoer was given a dismal C-in evaluation after leading the Tide to their poorest season (9-4) since Saban’s debut in 2007.

“I liked that Alabama went away from the Nick Saban tree to replace him and then brought in a coach who knew how to win championships and win big games,” Rittenberg stated.

“But DeBoer’s adjustment to the environment, roster and expectations became a real challenge.” With a victory over Georgia in Week 4, the Tide jumped to the top of the AP Poll and got off to a scorching start. However, as the season went on, Alabama displayed significant irregularities that resulted in upset

Arizona Wildcats are caged by the Red Raiders 70-54. Behind the Double-Double of JT Toppin Kalen DeBoer’s first season grade at Alabama is dreadful. Shelton, J.C.EST, January 22, 2025, 3:55 PM In this narrative: Crimson Tide of Alabama Alabama Crimson Tide: Begin Talking ESPN has released a grade for Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first season with the Crimson Tide as he enters Year 2. When DeBoer, 50, took over the championship level program following Nick Saban’s illustrious career, he had a special challenge.

DeBoer was hired from Washington when Saban retired from coaching after 17 seasons and six national titles.

The native of Milbank, South Dakota, had never been a coach in the South, but DeBoer had a winning record.

According to the Pro Football Writers of America, cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award at Alabama in 2020, is now the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the 2024 campaign with the Denver Broncos.

On Wednesday, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and NFL Most Valuable Player Award winners were announced by the PFWA.

With at least 375 covering snaps, Surtain was the cornerback who gave up the fewest receiving yards in the 2024 NFL season, according to the PFWA. Surtain was already selected for the 2024 All-NFL and All-AFC teams by the PFWA.

Surtain is the fourth cornerback to get the award, which has been given out by the PFWA every year since 1992. The other cornerbacks to win were Stephon Gilmore of the New England Patriots in 2019, Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers in 2009, and Deion Sanders of the San Francisco 49ers in 1994.

Former Crimson Tide running backs Shaun Alexander with the Seattle Seahawks in 2005 and Derrick Henry with the Tennessee Titans in 2020 were named the PFWA NFL Offensive Player of the Year, but Surtain is the first Alabama graduate to receive the league’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

Alexander received the 2005 NFL Most Valuable Player Award, which was first given out by the PFWA in 1966 to former Alabama quarterback Bart Starr.

Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens was selected by the PFWA for its NFL MVP Award this season for the second consecutive year. Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles was selected as the NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

The first-year head coaches in college football for 2024 presented a mix of notable stories.

There were some high-profile transitions between Power 4 programs, such as Kalen DeBoer leaving Washington, the national runner-up, to replace Nick Saban at Alabama, and Jedd Fisch departing a 10-win Arizona squad to take over in Seattle. Bill O’Brien, a coach with extensive experience in both college football and the NFL, returned to his hometown to lead Boston College. Mike Elko and Jonathan Smith, known for achieving success at Duke and Oregon State, respectively, moved on to higher-profile jobs at Texas A&M and Michigan State.

The coaching carousel also included promotions, like Sherrone Moore’s move from national champion Michigan to Big Ten newcomer UCLA, and Indiana hiring veteran Curt Cignetti, who spent much of his career coaching at lower division schools. Syracuse chose Fran Brown, an elite recruiter with just one year of coordinator experience, to lead the program.

Who excelled? Who struggled in their first season? It’s time to review the first-year coaches in the major conferences, reflecting on how they were initially assessed.

DeShaun Foster, UCLA Bruins
Hiring grade: B

Initial assessment: Although Foster was a late-cycle hire, he was expected to face some growing pains, especially as UCLA adjusted to the Big Ten. However, his energy and enthusiasm were seen as a welcome change after Chip Kelly, and the Bruins’ personnel situation was projected to improve under his leadership.

Year 1 record: 5-7
Year 1 grade: B

Review: Foster’s debut was met with some skepticism, but he exceeded expectations despite a tough early season. UCLA started 1-5 but turned things around with key victories over Rutgers, Nebraska, and Iowa, including two road wins. The team stayed competitive even in losses, and linebacker Carson Schwesinger emerged as a national star. Foster’s offseason staff changes suggest more of his influence on the program moving forward, and his overall comfort should increase in Year 2.

Bill O’Brien, Boston College Eagles
Hiring grade: A-

Initial assessment: O’Brien’s name recognition, especially in New England after his time with the Patriots, and his familiarity with the ACC made him an appealing choice. He was expected to elevate Boston College’s recruiting and transfer game.

Year 1 record: 7-6
Year 1 grade: B+

Review: O’Brien’s leadership was evident in his first season, despite some inconsistency. The Eagles began with a strong 4-1 start, including wins over Florida State and Michigan State. However, a midseason three-game losing streak led to a quarterback change, which paid off as Grayson James led the team to victories over Syracuse, North Carolina, and Pitt. Despite a coaching change late in the cycle, O’Brien guided the Eagles to their second consecutive bowl appearance.

Sherrone Moore, Michigan Wolverines
Hiring grade: B+

Initial assessment: Moore’s hiring came with the understanding that Michigan could have chosen a more established head coach, but the timing of Jim Harbaugh’s departure and the program’s situation worked in his favor. The key question was how much patience Michigan would show as Moore adjusted to the role.

Year 1 record: 8-5
Year 1 grade: B-

Review: Moore’s first season was a mix of struggles and strong finishes. Michigan wasn’t fully equipped to contend for the College Football Playoff following their national championship win in 2023, particularly with the loss of quarterback J.J. McCarthy and no major transfer addition at the position. The offense regressed, falling to 130th nationally in passing, and some of Moore’s in-game decisions raised concerns. However, the team rallied in the final stretch to salvage the season, boosting Moore’s overall grade.

 

 

Austin Mack is much more to Ty Simpson than just a competitor in the Alabama football quarterback room.

 

With 2025 spring practice approaching for the Crimson Tide, Simpson said he and Mack have grown close in their time together in Tuscaloosa.

 

“Austin’s one of my best friends on the team,” Simpson told the Tuscaloosa News.

 

Simpson said he was Mack’s recruiting host a season ago, when the former Washington quarterback was in the transfer portal, eventually following Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama as his first transfer.

 

Since then, Simpson said the two bounce ideas off each other.

 

“Just, how does he see this? And how do I see that?” Simpson said. “And how did Michael Penix see it, because he was in the same room as him.”

 

Mack did not see the field much in his first season with the Crimson Tide. The redshirt freshman played five snaps in Alabama’s 52-7 win against Mercer on Nov. 16, completing two of three pass attempts for 39 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown to Rico Scott Jr.

 

Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Austin Mack (10) runs onto the field before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Mack was the No. 230 overall player and the No. 16 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class per 247Sports’ composite rankings.

 

The 6-foot-6, 236-pound Loomis, California, native graduated one year early after recording 3,498 passing yards, 40 touchdowns and five interceptions for Folsom High School in 2022.

 

Mack and Simpson will be joined by 2025 five-star quarterback Keelon Russell.

 

But while Mack didn’t see much playing time for Alabama, Simpson said the incoming third-year quarterback has a high ceiling.

 

“Austin is very smart,” Simpson said. “He’s going to be a very good player, and I’m super excited to see his growth as well.”

 

 

 

 

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer predicted dire outcome in 2025 during way-too-early college football rankings image

Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer got a worst-case scenario outcome in way-too-early rankings from CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd. Even with minimal slippage predicted at QB with Jalen Milroe declaring for the NFL draft, and perhaps even improvement under center in Tuscaloosa, Dodd doesn’t know if the Crimson Tide are CFP material.

 

“The Crimson Tide are one of the biggest question marks on the board. Four losses simply won’t abide again.

Kalen DeBoer needs to win now! How much of a step back do the Tide take at quarterback with Jalen Milroe turning pro, if any? Bama fans are going to be locked in on the Ty Simpson-Austin Mack-Keelon Russell QB battle. There are several good pieces elsewhere on the roster, but are there enough? The CFP Selection Committee didn’t go for the brand name last month. We won’t either going into 2025. For now, ‘Bama is a borderline top-15 team,” Dodd wrote.

 

College football is changing. Ohio State, riding a $20 million NIL-valuated roster, won the national championship with a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame.

 

Alabama AD Greg Byrne, meanwhile, has to beg fans for NIL funding.

 

Worse yet, the Crimson Tide are being surpassed by teams that should be below the “Bama Standard.”

 

South Carolina was projected to make the CFP instead of Alabama in 2025.

 

“The Gamecocks were in the CFP discussion at the end of the season thanks to the progress of quarterback LaNorris Sellers. The schedule is brutal with games at Missouri, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. Alabama and Clemson come to Columbia. With a high enough preseason ranking, a three-loss season might be enough to get the Gamecocks in this time,” Dodd wrote.

 

Times are not changing for the better in Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban’s retirement quickly led to the Crimson Tide being just another team.

 

DeBoer can’t afford Alabama missing the CFP again in 2025. We’ll see if he can resist that happening.

 

Kalen DeBoer will have no issues motivating his 2025 Alabama football team with plenty of media pundits ranking the Crimson Tide low.

 

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on before running onto the field before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Raymond James Stadium.

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on before running onto the field before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory

It has been many years since Alabama football could credibly use the “nobody believes in us!” mantra. For Kalen DeBoer and the 2025 Crimson Tide, they won’t be short on motivation next season as the media is already writing them off as potential contenders for a national title.

 

Alabama is used to being the favorite. They’re used to being the hunted, the standard that everyone else strives to be. Following Nick Saban’s retirement and a disappointing 9-4 debut campaign for DeBoer in 2024, that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore.

 

Alabama looks to be heading into the 2025 season as more of an afterthought. While Vegas still has some confidence in the Crimson Tide, the national media seems to think Alabama will be a good, not great team next season, and unlikely to be a real threat to win a national championship, something that is always the goal in Tuscaloosa.

 

Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman published their “way too early” Top 25 for 2025 on On3 on Monday ahead of the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame national championship game.

 

Seeing where the Crimson Tide is ranked is going to take some getting used to:

 

Alabama comes in at 14th on their ranking, and sixth in the SEC. Obviously, these polls are meaningless, but it gives you an initial glance as to what the national perception currently is surrounding the program. At No. 14, Alabama is the sixth-ranked SEC team in the poll.

 

Take it with a grain of salt, though, as the On3 duo has Auburn ranked No. 11. I get some are bullish on Hugh Freeze and the Tigers after a good recruiting class and Transfer Portal haul, but they’ll have to show me on the football field after four consecutive losing seasons on the Plains before I’d be willing to bet on them being a borderline Top 10 team.

 

Alabama has plenty of talent returning in 2025 but will have to figure out the QB position in order to be a serious contender in the SEC and National Championship race.