Projecting the Biggest Concern for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2026
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Alabama enters a crucial 2026 season under coach Kalen DeBoer at a bit of a crossroads. DeBoer isn’t on the hot seat with a 20-8 record and one College Football Playoff appearance. However, following Nick Saban’s tenure in Tuscaloosa is a hard obstacle for any coach to clear. Can DeBoer get Alabama back to another deep run and a shot at the national championship? The ‘26 season might tell the world of college football quite a lot about where this program is headed.
Just five starters are back off last year’s team, with DeBoer’s offense facing a significant overhaul. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell will battle this spring to replace Ty Simpson, with the offensive line and rushing attack a major concern after a disappointing ‘25 performance. The outlook on defense is more settled with four starters returning, including standout safeties Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb.
If Alabama is to exceed expectations and push for a SEC Championship and a deep playoff run, which position is the biggest concern for DeBoer and his staff?
Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan and Kyle Wood debate and project what the biggest concern for Alabama should be in ’26:
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Projecting the Biggest Concern for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2026
Steven Lassan: Offensive Line
My concern with the offensive line is a two-part issue. With essentially five new full-time starters, this unit is under a major renovation. Tackle Michael Carroll started six contests last year, and DeBoer was active in the portal to land help here, so the position isn’t completely devoid of talent or options. However, an all-new offensive line with a first-time starter taking over at quarterback is a major concern.
Also, this unit struggled mightily last season at establishing the ground game. Can new line coach Adrian Klemm change the overall physicality of this group? In SEC games, Alabama averaged only 2.9 yards per carry and 89.9 rushing yards a contest. If DeBoer and this staff want to make a deep playoff run in ‘26, finding more balance and physicality out of a revamped group is a must.
Did DeBoer land the right replacements out of the portal? Can Klemm get the most out of talented players like Carroll and redshirt freshman Jackson Lloyd? And can this unit thrive at pass protection for a young quarterback and get better at clearing lanes for the running backs? The offensive line has a ton to answer for ‘26.
Kyle Wood: Run Game
This issue dovetails well with what Steven aptly pointed out about Alabama’s offensive line woes. The Crimson Tide finished 15th in the SEC in yards per carry (3.35) and yards per game (104.1). And in three postseason games, they managed just 48 yards on the ground. That’s not going to cut it — in the SEC or any other conference.
It looked like ‘Bama had found its answer in the backfield when it landed a commitment from Hollywood Smothers (NC State). However, he flipped to Texas, leaving DeBoer and Co. with largely the same running back room, minus Jam Miller. Daniel Hill projects to step into the lead back role, followed by Kevin Riley. But both of them were held to fewer than four yards per carry in 2025 behind the same line that stymied Miller a season ago. Incoming freshman Ezavier Crowell could also be a difference maker on the ground, but that’s a lot of weight to put on a newcomer.
A reshuffled offensive line could unlock the running game. But with a change under center to either Russell or Mack, the Tide have to open things up on the ground to make life easy on a first-time starter under center. Whether Alabama has the bodies in the trenches and the horses in the backfield to do that remains an open question.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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