Kalen DeBoer issues statement on Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. arrest, suspension

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer released a statement Monday regarding the arrest of Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., the sophomore defensive back. He was suspended indefinitely following an arrest last week.

“Unfortunately, with the information I have at this time, talked to Dre, and we need to indefinitely suspend him,” DeBoer said. “He understands there are consequences that come with his actions.”

Kirkpatrick, the son of two-time Crimson Tide national champion by the same name, was booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail at noon Saturday on three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of attempting to elude and speeding, according to jail records obtained by Robinson. While the circumstances around his arrest were not immediately clear Sunday morning, according to Robinson, Kirkpatrick Jr. was released within an hour of his booking on a $1,500 bond.

Kirkpatrick Jr.’s father, Dre Kirkpatrick Sr., played for former Alabama coach Nick Saban during the height of the Crimson Tide’s national championship success between 2009-11. Kirkpatrick Sr. was the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and played 10 seasons in the league, his final two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2020) and San Francisco 49ers (2021).

Kirkpatrick Jr., a three-star 2024 prospect out of Gadsden (Ala.), has nine total tackles through eight games this season while appearing mostly on special teams and in a reserve secondary role. Kirkpatrick Jr.’s biggest game so far came in Week 2 against Louisiana-Monroe when he tallied four total tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.

Kirkpatrick Jr., who signed with Alabama before Saban’s retirement in early 2024, was Saban’s first legacy signee during his illustrious 17-year career in Tuscaloosa, though no first ever. When Kirkpatrick Jr. first committed to Alabama, Saban spoke about the importance of bringing in legacy recruits.

“I think that’s the first legacy for Alabama. Not necessarily the first legacy for me. I coached Mark Ingram‘s dad at Michigan State — but the first generational legacy player that played for us at Alabama and now has a son playing here. I think it’s great,” Saban said in Dec. 2023.

“His dad has been a really good ambassador for the program, was a great player here and had a great NFL career. You really appreciate that part of it, but I know how proud he is of his son and what his son has been able to accomplish as his son has an opportunity to come to Alabama.”

Alex Byington contributed to this report