Alabama football is undergoing significant transformations this offseason, as head coach Nick Saban is retiring and Kalen DeBoer steps in as the new head coach. With Saban’s departure, there will be player departures and decommitments from the program, as evidenced by another player decommitting on Saturday.
Alabama Sees A 2026 Player Leave
Hawes Fawcett of On3 reports that Zykie Helton, an offensive lineman from Carrollton, Georgia, in the class of 2026, has withdrawn his commitment from Alabama. Helton, who had been committed to the Crimson Tide since July, is now reconsidering his options. Rivals.com lists Helton as having offers from various schools including Alabama, Auburn, UConn, East Carolina, Georgia, Penn State, South Florida, Texas A&M, and Western Kentucky.
Kalen DeBoer Will Be Fine
Alabama has witnessed a surge in players withdrawing their commitments to the team following Nick Saban’s departure as head coach. This trend is common in college football, occurring regardless of whether a coach leaves or stays. It’s a prevalent phenomenon in today’s collegiate sports landscape.
However, there’s little cause for concern for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide at present. DeBoer appears to be establishing a promising program. While succeeding a legendary coach like Saban will require time, DeBoer has the potential to excel. Known for his exceptional offensive strategies and a strong rapport with players, he has a track record of success in his coaching career.
