Kalen DeBoer isn’t overlooking any chance to make Alabama better. On Saturday, the Crimson Tide head coach emphasized the importance of building depth in Alabama’s return teams.
“There are a couple different ways you look at it,” DeBoer said. “You can go with the veterans. Being around Germie Bernard, as a returner, he’s done ’em both. You’re comfortable with him catching the ball. You’re comfortable with him making good decisions, especially when the ball is on a punt and the punt coverage team is flying down the field. He’s going to make those good decisions.
“But I really think we’re also trying to bring some young guys. Might be guys that are able to help us this year. Might even be guys out there Week 1. But really, what we want to do is always be developing players for the end of the season, and those moments where you hopefully have a few games where you don’t want to send your No. 1 guy out there, and you have enough trust in your No. 2.”
DeBoer has multiple options to anchor his return units in the upcoming season. Last season at Washington, Germie Bernard returned three punts and 10 kicks.
Alabama will not return either of its two primary punt returners from last season (Caleb Downs and Kool-Aid McKinstry). However, the program successfully retained Kendrick Law this offseason, who recorded a team-high 17 kick returns last season, averaging 23.8 yards per return.
No matter who ultimately fields the bulk of Alabama’s returns, DeBoer wants to instill confidence in players who will be at Alabama for years to come.
