Tyler Booker sends message to Alabama players considering transfer, reveals Kalen DeBoer non-negotiable
Life has not been the same for Alabama since Jan. 1. New Year’s Day in Pasadena resulted in a Rose Bowl loss to Michigan, ending the 2023 season in heartbreaking fashion. Flash forward nine days and Nick Saban announced his retirement, sending shockwaves not just through the program but the entirety of college football.
Greg Byrne was able to go out and hire Washington‘s Kalen DeBoer, who is fresh off a national championship appearance. Even so, multiple Alabama players have entered the NCAA transfer portal, and a few names have hurt.
Others are sticking around and giving DeBoer a chance, with Tyler Booker being one of them. He believes Alabama was so close to accomplishing its goal, with DeBoer being right there with them. Booker wants his teammates to see what the new head coach has to offer before jumping ship.
“We were right there,” Booker said. “We were seven points away from winning the national championship. We just got to keep everybody together and at least give it until the spring. We got to give [DeBoer] a chance to prove himself and give him a chance to gain your trust and for you to trust him as well and him to trust you.
“Just give him till the spring and realize we’re 7 points away from where we wanted to be. I mean he got there so he’s a proven winner.”
So what has the message from DeBoer been less than a week since officially being hired?
According to Booker, having a family-like atmosphere is a “non-negotiable” for DeBoer. He wants the players and coaching staff to trust one another, especially as the program goes through a tough stretch.
Based on Booker’s comments, you can tell it’s personally hitting home.
“Coach DeBoer is very family-oriented,” Booker said. “That was one of the first things he said to us was like one of the things non-negotiable was family, keeping family first. We have to become a family, we have to play for one another, and we have to build a trust for one another.
“So, just getting to know him has really been a pleasure and I’m excited to continue to build our relationship.”
Booker is set to give DeBoer an opportunity, at least through spring practice. If/when he returns for the 2024 season, Booker is expected to play a big role along the offensive line. Left guard was where the former five-star prospect got his reps — although his partner in crime, Kadyn Proctor, recently entered the portal.
DeBoer keeping Booker in the fold would be a massive win and not just on the field. Having a true leader on offense who is willing to keep the Alabama standard is just what the head coach needs.