Is Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. still with Alabama football? What Kalen DeBoer said

Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. is back with Alabama football.

The Alabama football defensive back played in eight games for the Crimson Tide in 2025, finishing with nine tackles, one tackle-for-loss and a forced fumble. But Kirkpatrick did not play again as a sophomore. He was indefinitely suspended after he was arrested and charged with three counts of reckless endangerment, one count of attempting to elude and speeding.

Kirkpatrick was included on Alabama’s spring roster, and is currently practicing with the team ahead of 2026. DeBoer said Kirkpatrick’s work to return isn’t done, though.

“Yeah, he had consequences for what he did and the things he’s gone through,” DeBoer said. “There’s still pieces to that that he’s taking care of when it comes to those consequences with the team. Missed a lot of the season last year to be able to get back to the spot where he is on the football field. He met those requirements and has a great attitude about him. He loves ball. He’s got to build the trust up with his teammates out there every day. He’ll do the things not just on the field, but off it as well to meet the standard our program expects.”

Kirkpatrick’s father, Dre Kirkpatrick, won two national championships at Alabama and became a first-round NFL draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012.

Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. was a three-star cornerback out of Gadsden City.

Alabama will end its 2026 spring practice schedule Saturday, April 11 with A-Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Kalen DeBoer talks Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. Alabama football status