“They Said Alabama Was Finished Without Saban — What’s Happening in Summer Camp Proves Otherwise”
For months, the talk around college football circles has been the same: “Alabama won’t be the same without Nick Saban.” The GOAT is gone, the dynasty is dead, and the Crimson Tide’s reign is officially over — or so they said.
But something different is happening in Tuscaloosa this summer. And it’s sending a message loud enough to shake the SEC.
Behind the gates of the Mal M. Moore Football Facility, a new era is taking shape — and it’s not just surviving without Saban. It’s building something scary. With head coach Kalen DeBoer entering his second year, the Alabama Crimson Tide are grinding through one of their most intense and focused summer camps in recent memory. The work ethic, the energy, and the hunger are all back. This isn’t a rebuild. It’s a reload.
The Fire Inside: DeBoer’s New Standard
DeBoer didn’t come to Alabama to coast in Saban’s shadow. He came to write his own chapter of dominance — and it starts with summer workouts.
According to reports from inside the program, DeBoer and his staff have overhauled conditioning regimens, tightened discipline, and challenged every player to earn their spot again. No one is safe. No one is guaranteed. And that’s exactly how DeBoer wants it.
“He’s bringing a fresh energy,” one source close to the program shared. “The players respect it. They know nothing will be handed to them this time.”
Strength in the Trenches
One of the biggest changes this offseason? The return to toughness. Defensive lineman Tim Keenan III has emerged as a vocal leader, setting the tone during workouts with an “enforcer” mindset. The redshirt senior, who delivered a powerful warning to Florida State’s quarterback during SEC Media Days (“Disrespect will be addressed”), is anchoring a defense that looks deeper, faster, and more violent.
New defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has also installed an aggressive, attacking scheme — one that plays to the Tide’s strengths: speed, power, and chaos.
And don’t sleep on the offensive line. Sources say the trenches are meaner than they’ve been in years, with freshmen and veterans alike pushing for reps. “It’s war out there every day,” one practice observer said.
QB Competition Heating Up
Another area drawing serious attention is the quarterback battle. While last year’s starter returns, nothing is set in stone. Every rep in 7-on-7s and red-zone drills is being graded with Saban-like scrutiny.
DeBoer wants someone who can command the offense — and if that player isn’t the returning starter, he’s made it clear: the best man will play.
The Tide’s Response to the Doubters
Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos recently mocked Alabama, saying they couldn’t “stop” him and didn’t “have Saban to save them.” That clip made it into the Alabama locker room — and the response from players has been cold, focused, and terrifying.
“We heard it,” a team leader said. “He’ll hear from us on August 30.”
📅 Eyes on Week 1: A Statement Game
That Week 1 showdown in Tallahassee is no ordinary opener. It’s a battle for pride, respect, and proof that Alabama’s dominance isn’t tied to just one man.
The college football world is watching, waiting for signs that the Crimson Tide is slipping.
But if summer camp is any indication, those hoping for Alabama’s downfall might be in for a brutal surprise.
Because inside that locker room, they’re not worried about the noise.
They’re focused on building a monster.
And this fall, it may just wake the entire country up.
