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Alabama Football's Post-Spring CFB Ranking, Revealed

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nazario Pangallo | Last updated May 12, 2025 12:54 PM ET

Heading into Kalen DeBoer's first season at Alabama, anticipation was high, but few knew what to expect in the Crimson Tide's first year without Nick Saban in nearly two decades. Still, Alabama received the benefit of the doubt in the preseason as the Tide was touted as the No. 5 team in the preseason rankings.

After going 9-4 and finishing No. 17 in the last A.P. Poll, the pressure has turned up on DeBoer and his staff, but with plenty of returning production, Alabama has some convinced it could return to its usual form.

College football analyst Josh Pate dropped his post-spring College Football rankings on Sunday night, with Alabama coming in at No. 4.

“I believe in Alabama, got them all the way up at number four," Pate said.

Pate is looking at two position groups that could strike fear into the hearts of Alabama's opponents.

“Could have one of, if not the best wide receiver rooms in that conference, could have one of, if not the best defensive back rooms in that conference," Pate said. "I think with Ryan Grubb coming in as their offensive coordinator, more so than scheme change or play design improvement or anything like that, I just think the collective attitude and identity of the offense will be much easier to figure out.”

Not only did Alabama upgrade at its offensive coordinator position, but it also retained a bulk of its roster from last season. That continuity is what Pate believes could take Alabama to the next level under DeBoer.

“I think the returning production and the guys that could have gone to the portal or could have gone to the NFL and have come back, it's kind of a version of what Ohio State had happened last year," Pate said.

Some of those that Pate is talking about include cornerback Domani Jackson, center Parker Brailsford, and defensive end LT Overton. All three and more are why Pate and others see a year-two coming for DeBoer's program.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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