The Extra Point: Which Areas Should Kalen DeBoer Address During The Spring Transfer Portal Window?

As the spring transfer portal window opens on April 16 and runs through April 30, all eyes are on Alabama’s new head coach, Kalen DeBoer. After a whirlwind offseason that saw Nick Saban retire and DeBoer make the cross-country move from Washington, the Crimson Tide find themselves in unfamiliar territory: rebuilding, reloading, and retooling—all at once.

This year’s transfer portal is no longer just a tool for roster tweaks. It’s a lifeline, an essential mechanism for navigating the modern chaos of college football. And for a program with national title aspirations, it’s a chance to patch holes, build depth, and correct course following a turbulent offseason that included multiple player departures and shifts in the coaching staff.

With the first spring under DeBoer officially in the books and Alabama’s A-Day game offering a revealing glimpse into the current state of the roster, let’s break down the most critical positions of need as the Crimson Tide approach this pivotal transfer portal window.

1. Offensive Line: Experience and Consistency Needed

No unit on Alabama’s roster has faced more scrutiny this offseason than the offensive line. While DeBoer has praised the toughness and athleticism of his group, the spring game made one thing clear: the Tide are dangerously thin when it comes to experienced, SEC-ready depth.

Why it’s a concern:

• JC Latham, Alabama’s standout tackle, is off to the NFL.
• Guard Darrian Dalcourt graduated.
• Multiple young linemen are still developing, not yet ready to shoulder starting responsibilities.

While the incoming freshman class includes five-star Michael Carroll and the highly touted Micah DeBose, the SEC is no place for raw potential without experience. Spring practices saw a rotating cast of linemen up front, and the lack of continuity was noticeable.

What DeBoer needs:

• A seasoned interior lineman—ideally someone with starting experience at the Power Five level.
• A plug-and-play swing tackle who can provide competition at right tackle and insurance against injury.

Portal names to watch: Look for Group of Five veterans who have played 20+ career games. Even mid-tier P5 starters might see Alabama as a launching pad to the NFL under DeBoer’s offense.

2. Defensive Line: Plugging the Trenches

With standout veterans like Justin Eboigbe and Tim Smith gone and others testing the NFL waters, Alabama’s defensive front is in flux. Returning pieces like Jaheim Oatis and Tim Kennan III offer power, but the unit lacks rotation depth and elite edge pressure.

Why it’s a concern:

• SEC offenses are bigger, faster, and more complex than ever.
• Defensive line rotation is key to staying fresh in 4th quarters—especially in the playoff chase.

What DeBoer needs:

• A proven pass rusher who can win 1-on-1 battles on the edge.
• A disruptive 3-technique defensive tackle with burst and gap penetration ability.

Alabama’s new defensive coordinator, Kane Wommack, runs an aggressive, hybrid 4-2-5 scheme that relies heavily on getting home with four. That won’t work without impact players on the D-line who can collapse the pocket.

3. Secondary: DB Depth Drained by Transfers

The Crimson Tide’s defensive backfield was gutted this offseason by early NFL declarations and portal departures. Freshman five-star Jaylen Mbakwe unexpectedly entered the portal in December. Versatile safety DeVonta Smith followed, creating major depth concerns, especially at corner and nickel.

Why it’s a concern:

• The SEC features some of the best wide receiver talent in the country.
• DeBoer’s Washington teams relied on opportunistic DBs who could flip games with turnovers.
• Alabama’s spring game featured several busts in coverage, particularly when second-stringers rotated in.

What DeBoer needs:

• A rangy safety with experience playing in a zone-heavy scheme.
• A lockdown boundary corner who can compete with the likes of Georgia’s or Texas’ WR1.

Freshmen like Zabien Brown and redshirt sophomore Earl Little II have shown flashes, but an injury to either would force true freshmen into full-time starting roles. That’s a risk Alabama cannot afford in 2025.

4. Tight End: Low Numbers, High Demand

DeBoer’s system at Washington featured tight ends in multiple formations—spread, inline, and even motion-based looks. But Alabama’s current tight end room is razor-thin following graduation and injury.

Why it’s a concern:

• CJ Dippre is gone.
• Sophomore Danny Lewis Jr. had an inconsistent spring.
• The A-Day game saw Alabama lining up multiple times with makeshift fullbacks.

What DeBoer needs:

• A balanced tight end who can block and catch.
• A red-zone mismatch weapon—ideally someone 6’5”+ with strong hands and route-running polish.

Portal names to watch: FCS or G5 transfers with 30+ catches and at least two seasons of eligibility could be major assets here. Don’t rule out Big Ten tight ends looking for a more dynamic offense.

5. Wide Receiver: Top-End Talent vs. Depth

The good news? Alabama’s WR room features Ryan Williams, arguably the top freshman in America. The bad news? Depth remains shaky behind Williams, Germie Bernard, and Kendrick Law.

Why it’s a concern:

• Injuries derailed WR production last year.
• After Williams and Bernard, production is inconsistent and unproven.
• DeBoer’s offense must have 4-5 reliable receivers for spacing, tempo, and mismatches.

What DeBoer needs:

• A veteran slot receiver with short-area quickness.
• A big-bodied boundary target who can win contested catches in the red zone.

The 2025 schedule includes matchups with Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. The margin for error in those games is slim. Alabama needs firepower—and insurance—at WR.

6. Quarterback: Stability Found, But Competition Matters

After a brief moment of uncertainty following Jalen Milroe’s flirtation with the portal (and potential NFL jump), Alabama appears set at QB. Milroe is back. Ty Simpson and Austin Mack both had solid springs.

So is the QB room settled?

Why it’s still a (minor) concern:

• What happens if Milroe gets injured?
• Mack is still a freshman. Simpson has limited in-game experience.

DeBoer doesn’t need to add a QB. But if a proven veteran backup enters the portal—someone content in a QB2 role—that could be worth exploring for depth.

Roster Chemistry: Culture Fit Matters More Than Ever

One of the biggest challenges with mid-year portal additions? Fitting into the locker room. DeBoer has inherited a locker room built under Nick Saban’s ironclad culture. While he’s ushering in his own style, maintaining discipline, competition, and unity remains paramount.

He said as much in a recent interview:

“We’re not just looking for talent. We’re looking for the right kind of player—guys who want to be part of something bigger than themselves.”

Translation: No diva attitudes. No me-first mentalities. That narrows the list of transfer options—but increases the odds of success.

NIL, Timing, and Recruiting Dynamics

Alabama is still a major NIL powerhouse, thanks to The Crimson Standard and Yea Alabama. But the portal world is increasingly competitive, and big offers from Texas, USC, and Miami make every pursuit a battle.

DeBoer’s staff must be strategic, not just aggressive:

• Use NIL to supplement, not drive, decision-making.
• Prioritize May enrollees who can join by summer and participate in offseason workouts.
• Target multi-year players, not just one-and-done rentals.

The Bigger Picture: 2025 Is a Statement Year

Let’s be clear—Kalen DeBoer is not being graded on a curve. Alabama fans still expect playoff contention. ESPN, On3, and 247Sports have the Tide in the preseason Top 5. Milroe is a Heisman candidate. Ryan Williams is a rising star. The pressure is enormous.

If Alabama wants to meet that bar, this spring transfer window could be the most important recruiting phase of the year. Not National Signing Day. Not Early Signing Period. Now.

This spring transfer portal window isn’t about desperation. It’s about refinement. Alabama isn’t broken—it’s adjusting. Kalen DeBoer doesn’t need to overhaul the roster. But to go toe-to-toe with Georgia, Texas, and Ohio State, he must fortify it.

The blueprint is clear:

• Add 1–2 experienced offensive linemen.
• Find a versatile tight end.
• Plug holes in the secondary.
• Strengthen the defensive line rotation.
• Add one more dynamic wide receiver.
• Maintain culture while maximizing talent.

If Alabama gets even half of those right, don’t be surprised if the Tide are right back in the College Football Playoff, once again defying the doubters.

Because in Tuscaloosa, the standard isn’t rebuilding—it’s reloading.