Alabama Football had its first spring practice session on Monday morning. Alabama's 2025 roster of players can now be correctly described as Kalen DeBoer's team. That could not be said of the 2024 roster.
Kalen DeBoer laughed when asked if the practice session had provided an answer to the starting quarterback riddle. Of course, it did not. What was interesting was how DeBoer handled the post-practice media session. He is clearly more relaxed and appears to be more confident than he was at any time in 2024.
An early key to assessing the progress of the Alabama Crimson Tide is to look at numbers. As Mike Rodak tweeted the Alabama Football roster has 124 players, with three more arriving this summer. The Crimson Tide is expected to add a few more transfers in the coming months. If there are five transfer additions, the roster would reach 132 players. If the House Settlement is approved, as expected, next month, college football roster sizes will be limited to 105 players. Considerable attrition would follow.
The 11 players are all expected to be 100% next fall, though that might not mean by August for Lawson.
Another negative number for the Crimson Tide is depth in the tight end group. DeBoer defined the position group as thin, indicating a need for at least one transfer addition.
Alabama Football and Tackle Concerns
Alabama football fans are more concerned about depth at offensive tackle. When Kadyn Proctor returns, there will still be doubts about the right tackle slot. Even if Wilkin Formby is an improved player from last season and locks down the right tackle starting role, depth is a legitimate worry. On Monday Kalen DeBoer stated that redshirt sophomore Olaus Alinen and 5-star freshman, Michael Carroll would also work at multiple positions this spring, including tackle.
Until Proctor is healthy competition at the Crimson Tide's 'other' starting tackle spot will be intense. Along with Alinen and Carroll, Arkel Anugwom, Jackson Lloyd, and Micah DeBose will be in contention. Unless there is a later transfer addition, two of them will at least earn second-unit roles.
The most exciting early spring number comes from freshman, quarterback phenom, Keelon Russell. When Russell arrived in Tuscaloosa he weighed 175 lbs. At 6'3", he needed considerable added weight to withstand SEC-level pounding. On Monday's updated roster, Keelon has jumped up to 193 lbs. With continued weight training and nutritional management, he could be over 200 lbs. when the 2025 season begins.