The University of Alabama officially announced on Thursday the hiring of Ryan Grubb to be the team's offensive coordinator. News broke on Sunday that Grubb would be re-joining Kalen DeBoer at Alabama and that Nick Sheridan and JaMarcus Shepherd - co-offensive coordinators last season with Sheridan as the playcaller - would remain on staff.
Via the University's release, Kalen DeBoer had this to say about the addition of Grubb:
"Ryan Grubb has been someone that I have trusted for a long time and adding him to our staff only improves the quality of coaches we have here at Alabama," said DeBoer. "He is one of the best offensive minds in the country, and I can't wait to see what he brings to our organization moving forward."
Grubb brings an experienced and trusted offensive mind to DeBoer's staff. Grubb leaving after just a couple of weeks on the job last year was a big blow for DeBoer and Alabama. While dealing with the roster fallout from Nick Saban's retirement, DeBoer had to make a critical hire that he thought was already sorted out.
Sheridan stepped in to a role he wasn't ready for. The results were mixed. Jalen Milroe didn't take the step many thought he would, and Sheridan at times seemed to struggle with making in-game adjustments if his fastball wasn't working.
Grubb shouldn't have the same type of growing pains. His addition is huge for Alabama and for DeBoer as he enters a crucial second season in Tuscaloosa. Which players will benefit the most from Grubb's tutelage?
3 players who benefit the most from Ryan Grubb's hire
3. Kadyn Proctor
Ryan Grubb has a background as an offensive line coach. He coached the offensive lines at Sioux Falls, Eastern Michigan, and Fresno State. Even when he has transitioned to offensive coordinator roles, he has always had a keen eye for the offensive line and always has his hands involved.
This could be big for LT Kadyn Proctor, who is entering his money year at Alabama. Proctor will likely enter the season as a projected Top-10 pick in the 2026 draft. He took a leap from his freshman to sophomore season in Tuscaloosa. The hope is that he will take another sizable leap as a junior and become one of the best left tackles in the country.
Having a cornerstone left tackle will be big as the Crimson Tide break in a new quarterback next season. Grubb will work to pull the best out of Proctor.
2. Ryan Williams
Grubb likes to get the ball out and into the hands of his best playmakers on the outside. At Washington, that was Rome Odunze, who parlayed a high-level of success in Grubb's scheme into being a first round pick by the Chicago Bears last year.
Odunze had back-to-back 1000 yard seasons in Grubb's offense, including a monster, 92-catch, 1640-yard, 13 touchdown season in 2023 as the Huskies made it all the way to the National Championship Game.
Ryan Williams had an impressive freshman season and he should take another leap this offseason. Williams will be a focal-point of the offense next season and Grubb will find creative ways to get the ball in his hands. Too often last season, particularly over the second half of the year, Williams was quiet as the Tide's passing offense struggled.
He's too talented not to get the football. Grubb will make sure he gets it plenty in 2025. I can't wait to see what he does when he gets it.
1. Keelon Russell
The possibility of 5-star freshman phenom Keelon Russell starting next season for Alabama just increased with the addition of Grubb. He has a reputation and history of developing quarterbacks and Russell is the most talented one on the Crimson Tide's roster.
The safer choice would be Ty Simpson or even Austin Mack, but Russell can raise the ceiling of the 2025 Crimson Tide to a level the other two can't. Grubb was instrumental in Michael Penix's development at Washington and also tutored Jake Haener at Fresno State.
Haener was a little- known recruit before putting together an impressive career at Fresno State and ultimately getting drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 4th round.
Russell may not be the team's starting quarterback next season. It makes more sense for Simpson to be a bridge QB and allow Russell to get physically and mentally ready for the grind of college football. But Grubb's hiring is massive for Russell's development and certainly increases the chances that he is ready to play sooner rather than later.