There will be a spirited competition for the 2025 Alabama Football starting quarterback role. Though Ty Simpson will go into spring as the leader, any of the Crimson Tide's three QBs could win the job in August or September. The trio of Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, and Nick Sheridan are expected to orchestrate a more consistent and a more productive offense than last season. Alabama fans will intensely follow the QB battle, but the Crimson Tide's success in 2025 hinges more on guys in the trenches than on the QB starter.
The trenches are a major concern for two reasons. First, the interior defensive line lacks experienced depth. Alabama has two capable interior defensive linemen, Tim Keenan III and James Smith. The other five are talented but largely untested. At a position where player rotation is an asset, an injury to Keenan or Smith could mean a serious defensive weakness. It is possible that Jordan Renaud could add weight and work on the inside.
The second area of concern is a bigger issue. Right tackle was a problem all of last season. Wilkin Formby is the projected starter for 2025. If his weakness against speed rushers is not substantially better in 2025, Ryan Grubb may not be able to utilize all of Kalen DeBoer's offense.
Defensively the 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide will be strong at linebacker, in the secondary and on the edge. Those strengths could neutralize depth issues on the interior defensive line. The offensive line is different. It can have no weak links. Not only must the right tackle weakness be eliminated, Tyler Booker must be replaced at left guard.
Alabama Football has young talent with little game experience
Alabama has multiple players who can succeed Tyler Booker at left guard. The most likely starter is Geno VanDeMark. VanDeMark has 31 games of playing experience at Michigan State and Alabama. He started at guard in two games last season. He is expected to be pushed by 5-star freshman, Michael Carroll. The 6'6", 315lb. Carroll could work his way into a key role by midseason. Another option at guard is Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry. Dewberry played in 32 games for the Aggies but gained only eight starts during his three seasons in College Station.
Alabama is also expected to pursue tackle options in the second transfer portal. While adding a top, experienced tackle is a priority, the transfer talent pool may not provide better options than players already in Tuscaloosa.