Alabama's new TE coach could unlock Kaleb Edwards into Crimson Tide X-Factor

Sometimes the most dangerous changes aren't loud, they're precise. That's the type of ripple effect that Kalen DeBoer and second-year Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb are betting on with the hiring of new tight ends coach Richard Owens, who will get his hands on talented Tide sophomore TE Kaleb Edwards this offseason. 

Owens arrives in Tuscaloosa with a reputation and track record built on development and versatility. This was highlighted across his various career stops around the college football map during his time at Arkansas, UAB, South Alabama, Georgia Southern, and Louisville, where Owens' coaching philosophy shone through, getting his players involved through leverage, spacing, body control, and matchup manipulation. Those traits are a plus for Crimson Tide fans because they translate regardless of scheme or opponent.

Owens first showed this mastery in Fayetteville in 2010, with Razorbacks John Mackey award winner, D.J. Williams, who brought in 54 receptions, 627 yards, and four touchdowns, before being drafted in the 5th round by the Green Bay Packers in 2011. Owens continued to work his magic in Arkansas with fellow Razorbacks tight end Chris Gragg, who recorded 41 receptions for 518 yards and two touchdowns as Arkansas's primary tight end. This production led to Gragg hearing his name called by the Buffalo Bills in the 7th round of the 2013 NFL Draft. 

Owens then took his talents to Birmingham and gave this game to Blazers' tight ends Gerald Everett and Kennard Backham, before the program was shut down in 2014. Everett posted 17 receptions for 292 yards and 1 touchdown in his lone season in Birmingham, before becoming a productive 2nd Round pick in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams. Backham had success as well, reeling in 39 catches for 399 yards and three touchdowns, earning All-Conference USA honors en route to being selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 6th round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Kaleb Edwards could be in for a massive breakout season for Alabama in 2026

These examples of success, along with other countless pass-catchers Owens played a part in developing should give Alabama fans added excitement about this hire as he inherits Edwards this spring. At 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, Edwards gives Owens a combination of raw size with solid athleticism to mold, as he partners with Grubb to create matchup nightmares in the Crimson Tide offense.

In 2025, Edwards showed this was already possible, reeling in 11 receptions for 150 yards and 1 touchdown across 6 starts through 15 games in limited action under former Alabama positional coach Bryan Ellis. 

Now being under the tutelage of Owens and his proven ability to transform talented tight ends into dynamic, multi-dimensional weapons, Edwards enters this spring with the ideal mentor to evaluate his game.

With that being said, if the two can click together, like I strongly believe they can, then this pairing could easily reshape the entire dynamic of the Alabama offense in 2026. I feel this way because in Grubb's first season in Tuscaloosa, he has already shown that the tight end position can be a key contributor in his playbook. This sense tells me that it's only a matter of time before Owens uses his keys to successfully unlock Edwards as a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses who lineup against the Tide on Saturdays this fall.