Alabama Football: Kalen DeBoer lands his first transfer at Alabama and recruiting news

Kalen DeBoer has brought in his first Alabama football transfer. The first player committing in this new era of Alabama Football is Washington Quarterback, Austin Mack. Mack was heavily recruited by new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb out of high school with Mack being the eighth-ranked quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class. At Washington Mack didn't see any playing time, meaning he'll have four years of eligibility at Alabama.

This move is different than bringing in Ty Buchner. Buchner was going to compete for a starting role in his former offensive coordinator's offense. Mack will be more of a long-term option as Mack reclassified, meaning next season should be his true freshman season. Once Jalen Milroe leaves Alabama Mack will be an interesting option to start in 2025, after spending two seasons sitting behind Michael Penix and Jalen Milroe.

The Alabama Football quarterback room is an interesting place, with five scholarship quarterbacks on the roster; Milroe, Mack, Ty Simpson, Dylan Lonergan, and Julian Sayin. This doesn't automatically mean that one quarterback will leave. The Alabama Football team carried five quarterbacks last season. Like Buchner was to Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson, Mack's familiarity with Ryan Grubb's offense can be helpful in the development of Julian Sayin. Though neither of the younger quarterbacks will see significant reps week to week.

After a week of key departures in Nick Saban, Caleb Downs, Travaris Robinson, Kadyn Proctor, and others, it's a breath of fresh air to see a player looking to join the Alabama Football program. This won't likely be the end of Kalen DeBoer adding Washington players to the Alabama Football roster. Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad and center Parker Brailsford have visits planned to Tuscaloosa this weekend. Former Washington commit Noah Carter is being predicted as an Alabama Football commit in the near future.

Adding one of the cornerbacks from Kalen DeBoer's Washington team became a little more of a need Thursday with Jameer Grimsley entering the transfer portal. Grimsley was a four-star recruit in this year's class ranked as the 17th best cornerback. The move isn't much of a surprise as Grimsley was heavily recruited by Holmon Wiggins and Travaris Robinson. Long-term, the loss of Grimsley won't hurt much with several highly touted defensive backs joining the program in this year's recruiting class.

Alabama Football: DeBoer's touch will be on this roster soon enough

Entering 2024, the Alabama Football team will still be viewed as a Nick Saban group with most of the players coming during his era. However, in the coming days and weeks, we'll start to see Kalen DeBoer mold this roster into a group that resembles his style of play. Washington has a thirty-day transfer window just like the Alabama Football program, meaning we'll see a few players likely follow their old coach to Tuscaloosa. If DeBoer can supplement some of the team's biggest needs like cornerback and offensive line, then the Tide will continue to have the talent to play with any team in the country.

Note: Recruiting info via 24/7 sports