JD PicKell Names College Football Team With Everything in Place to Compete for National Title originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Alabama Crimson Tide holds the second-most national titles in college football, with 16, but has not won one since 2020.
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Nick Saban is no longer the head coach, having retired following the 2023 season. Former Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer now leads Alabama.
While there are questions surrounding Alabama’s team in 2025, On3’s JD PicKell believed the Crimson Tide can compete for a national title on a recent edition of “The Hard Count.”
Jalen Milroe has gone to the NFL, and a quarterback competition is underway in Tuscaloosa. Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are fighting for the starting job.
Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer. Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
“All he heard about from the entire time from when he got the job up and through the entire college football season was, is Kalen DeBoer Nick Saban?” PicKell said. “Can he fill Nick Saban’s shoes? Alabama has everything in place, outside of having a plus at quarterback, to go compete for a national championship.”
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While the Crimson Tide does not have a clear answer at quarterback, there are still solid pieces on the team.
Alabama returns the likes of receiver Ryan Williams, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, center Parker Brailsford and linebacker Deonte Lawson in 2025.
Williams put himself on the map in 2024 as a true freshman, leading Alabama with 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
The Crimson Tide also added talent through the transfer portal, with players such as former Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Nikhai Green-Hill, former Utah Utes cornerback Cameron Calhoun, and former Miami Hurricanes receiver Isaiah Horton.
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PicKell spoke about Alabama recently, claiming that the program had become forgotten since DeBoer took over. DeBoer’s first season ended at 9-4 after a disappointing 19-13 loss to the Michigan Wolverines.
In the NFL, one of Saban’s former players, CJ Mosley, decided to retire on Thursday.
Alabama opens the 2025 season with the Florida State Seminoles on August 30.
Related: New Alabama Commit Shines at Elite 11 Finals
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.