Is Kalen DeBoer Planning to Add a Member of the 2022 Class to Alabama's Roster?

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — College sports' most recent chaos stemmed from a Colorado district court judge granting eligibility for the class of 2022. However, a higher-up court granted a stay on the matter, meaning this case is paused.

However, some local courts across the country are granting players from that class to return to college football. Dae’Quan Wright, who played at Ole Miss the last two years after a pair of seasons at Virginia Tech, went undrafted before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles and then the Cleveland Browns — participating in their training camps. Wright then went to a Louisiana judge and his request was accepted to return to college and play for LSU, as he was waived by the Browns on Sunday.

So, as more schools follow in Wright and LSU's footsteps, what does Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer think of the hot topic?

"Just overall, in general, how that kind of works, [Alabama athletic director] Greg Byrne's communicating with me and us about just what we can and can't do," DeBoer said on Monday. "We know that there's a possibility out there of someone that was on our roster in the past, but again, right now he wouldn't be able to come in and play.

"So I can't control that. Can't worry about that. Just got to see how things move forward and progress. You just never know, each day in the world we're in right now, what tomorrow might look like. We'll kind of see as we go. I know there's a lot of conference and national just figuring this thing out, and Greg Byrne continues to keep me updated on everything."

One former Alabama player from the class of 2022 who could potentially return with a court ruling is Kam Dewberry, who was the Crimson Tide's starting left guard last season. He went undrafted and signed with the Atlanta Falcons. That said, Dewberry was carted off the field during Saturday's preseason game.

Alabama's left guard spot is not set in stone just yet. It's been a battle between sophomore Mal Waldrep Jr. and junior Will Sanders. DeBoer provided an update on this competition on Monday.

"Mal — especially the first part of camp — because Will had to work into things with just his modifications, Mal took most of the reps but not all with the ones," DeBoer said. "Will's been able to work in there more. There is competition. Will can play [left] guard and [right] guard, and so he takes some reps at both spots during the course of a practice."

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Threads and Blue Sky for the latest news.

Add us as a preferred source on Google