Crimson Tide transfers bring knowledge of new system to Tuscaloosa

Under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, the Alabama Crimson Tide offense will have to learn a whole new system before the start of next year, a daunting task that may make it difficult for the team to repeat its recent success.

Fortunately for the Crimson Tide, DeBoer is bringing three players from Seattle to Tuscaloosa, where they can make an early impact in the locker room by helping their new teammates adjust. Returning quarterback Jalen Milroe would be wise to lean on incoming QB Austin Mack, who may be younger in age but has already had a successful year in understanding the offense run by DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. 

“[Mack] has got a really great head on his shoulders,” DeBoer told Tide Illustrated's Tony Tsoukalas. “He’s young, and for him to do what he did this last year with us, he reclassified and really learned the offense as fast as anyone I’ve ever seen at that age. He’s got to just continue to grow, continue to develop." 

Michael Penix Jr., Washington's star QB of the past two seasons, joined his former coach in noting Mack's quick adjustment, though he claims the system is not too difficult to master. 

"That offense translates anywhere," Penix said, as reported by AL.com's Matt Stahl. "I feel like that offense that we ran, it was a pro-style offense, that can translate in the NFL as well. But the coaches, the way that they prepared us each and every week, day in and day out, preparation never stopped.” 

Not everyone agrees. Just ask Khyree Jackson, a former Alabama cornerback who transferred to Oregon and lost twice to DeBoer and Co. this season. 

"That was the most complex offense I've ever been against in my career, even my years at Alabama. Their route combinations are one of a kind," Jackson said at practice for the Reese's Senior Bowl, as reported by Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News. "... They do things out of bunch formations you don't really see anywhere else." 

Whether this new system is easy or difficult to pick up, DeBoer told reporters he's confident that Mack and fellow transfers center Parker Brailsford and receiver Germie Bernard can go from students to teachers and help their new teammates adjust. 

"Those that have come with us from Washington, they certainly have an understanding of the system, what certain concepts are called, how we teach them,” DeBoer said, according to AL.com. “So hopefully back on campus they’re picking up on those things with Jalen, and Austin, as well as having a center like Parker who knows all the calls, we can hit the ground running here next week when it comes to installing offense and systems.” 

Alabama fans will likely get their first taste of this new offensive system during the A-Day game on April 13.