Joel Klatt names the X-factor for Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide in his post-spring football power rankings.
The 2025 college football season represents the beginning of a new era in Tuscaloosa. For the first time since 2007, someone other than Nick Saban will lead the Alabama Crimson Tide onto the field. That responsibility now belongs to Kalen DeBoer—a brilliant offensive mind fresh off an undefeated regular season and national championship game appearance at Washington. But as any college football observer knows, replacing a legend is never simple.
With Alabama reloading rather than rebuilding, expectations remain sky-high. And for college football analyst Joel Klatt, one player holds the keys to Alabama’s success—or potential struggles—in 2025. That player is quarterback Jalen Milroe, whom Klatt identifies as the X-factor in Alabama’s post-Saban transition and DeBoer’s initial season at the helm.
The Challenge of Transitioning from a Dynasty
Before diving into the details of Klatt’s analysis, it’s important to understand the magnitude of what Alabama is trying to achieve. When Nick Saban retired, he left behind one of the greatest dynasties in sports history—six national championships, multiple undefeated seasons, and a legacy of defensive excellence and NFL development.
Maintaining that standard under a new head coach is no small task. While DeBoer is proven in his own right, he is now tasked with merging his identity as a pass-first, quarterback-friendly play-caller into a program defined by Saban’s process-driven, defense-centric philosophy. The stakes are higher than ever, and the expectations remain unchanged: win the SEC, make the Playoff, and compete for a national title.
Why Jalen Milroe Is the X-Factor
Joel Klatt, one of the most respected voices in college football analysis, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of quarterback play in the modern game. In his post-spring rankings and commentary, Klatt didn’t hesitate to spotlight Jalen Milroe as Alabama’s pivotal figure entering the 2025 campaign.
Milroe, now a veteran presence, brings elite athleticism, arm strength, and playmaking flair. He took over the Crimson Tide offense in 2023 after early-season uncertainty and led the team to an SEC Championship and College Football Playoff appearance. Along the way, he demonstrated the ability to flip games with both his arm and legs, particularly in high-leverage moments.
Yet, Milroe’s game is still evolving. He’s shown inconsistency in processing coverages and reading defenses, occasionally relying too heavily on athleticism when staying in the pocket or making progressions would have been more efficient. Under Tommy Rees, Alabama’s 2023 offense was conservative and often relied on Milroe improvising under pressure.
This is where Kalen DeBoer’s arrival creates intrigue—and where Klatt sees the defining narrative of Alabama’s 2025 season.
The Marriage of DeBoer’s System and Milroe’s Skill Set
At Washington, DeBoer engineered one of the most explosive and efficient passing offenses in the country. With quarterback Michael Penix Jr., he orchestrated a unit that led the nation in passing yards and chunk plays, thriving on tempo, verticality, and decision-making at the quarterback position.
The key to DeBoer’s system is precision: clean reads, quick throws, and rhythm-based execution. For it to work at Alabama, Milroe must evolve from a big-play athlete into a surgical field general. Klatt identifies this transformation—or lack thereof—as the determining factor in Alabama’s season.
If Milroe can fully absorb DeBoer’s offense, limit mistakes, and thrive as a quick-trigger decision-maker, Alabama’s ceiling is once again the national championship. If not, the Tide risk slipping from the elite tier, particularly in an SEC that’s as deep as ever.
Klatt has made it clear: Milroe isn’t just important—he’s the fulcrum upon which Alabama’s success hinges.
Spring Practice Takeaways: Signs of Growth
In post-spring assessments, reports from Alabama’s camp suggested that Milroe was making progress in adjusting to the new offensive terminology and philosophy. The spring game showed glimpses of quicker throws, more designed reads, and improved timing on intermediate routes—hallmarks of DeBoer’s system.
However, the spring also revealed lingering issues with pocket patience and overreliance on mobility. Klatt observed that while Milroe remains one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in college football, the transition to DeBoer’s structure demands discipline. The deep balls will still be there, but the offense now requires Milroe to take the easy completions, read blitz packages pre-snap, and consistently keep the offense on schedule.
For Klatt, that growth trajectory is encouraging, but it’s not yet a finished product.
Supporting Cast and Offensive Fit
While Milroe may be the X-factor, Alabama’s offense in 2025 isn’t a one-man show. The supporting cast DeBoer inherits is rich with talent. The running back room is deep and physical, with several backs capable of excelling in zone-read and RPO-heavy schemes. At wide receiver, Alabama boasts a mix of speedsters and physical route-runners—a stark contrast from the 2021–2022 seasons when the Tide lacked proven perimeter playmakers.
Perhaps the biggest asset, however, is the offensive line. While it remains a work in progress, it’s a unit with five-star talent and experience across the board. DeBoer’s offensive schemes, which thrive on tempo and protection variation, could get the most out of this group.
Klatt has also highlighted the importance of DeBoer’s offensive staff, particularly offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. The former Indiana QB and long-time DeBoer assistant has experience developing quarterbacks and designing game plans tailored to player strengths. If Sheridan and DeBoer can build a system that maximizes Milroe’s mobility without sacrificing structure, Alabama will have the best of both worlds.
Defensive Outlook: Still a Powerhouse?
On the other side of the ball, Alabama will continue to rely on a ferocious defense. New defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, another DeBoer hire, brings a 4-2-5 system that prioritizes speed, versatility, and matchup flexibility. Klatt believes that while there will be some schematic changes, Alabama’s talent level ensures that the defense will remain one of the nation’s best.
This balance—between a potentially high-octane offense and a defense capable of generating pressure and takeaways—could be the formula Alabama needs to survive the rigorous SEC slate. But again, it circles back to Milroe. As Klatt puts it, “You can win 10 games with a good defense and a streaky quarterback. But you can win a national title if that quarterback becomes a star.”
The Bigger Picture: Klatt’s Power Rankings Philosophy
Joel Klatt’s approach to power rankings has always focused on more than raw talent or returning starters. He evaluates coaching changes, quarterback continuity, schematic fits, and trajectory. That’s why, even amid uncertainty, he still placed Alabama firmly in his top five post-spring.
For Klatt, Alabama’s potential remains enormous—but it’s volatile. A breakout season from Milroe could make the Tide a Playoff lock. But a rocky transition, or an injury, could result in multiple SEC losses and a spot outside the top 10.
What separates Alabama, in Klatt’s view, is the ceiling. No team in the country—Georgia and Michigan included—has as much week-to-week upside as a well-oiled, Milroe-led Alabama offense under Kalen DeBoer.
Final Thoughts: The Weight of Leadership
As Jalen Milroe enters the most critical season of his football career, the weight on his shoulders is both enormous and exhilarating. He’s not just being asked to lead a football team—he’s being asked to usher a dynasty through transition, to be the stabilizing force in the post-Saban void.
Kalen DeBoer’s system gives him the tools. The supporting cast gives him the platform. And according to Joel Klatt, Milroe gives Alabama the “X-factor”—a uniquely skilled, battle-tested quarterback with the chance to rise from talent to legacy.
