Kalen DeBoer guided his team through the pre-game walk of champions, past Nick Saban’s statue, and onto Nick Saban Field.
The pre-game hype video featured Saban’s famous words from 2010, celebrating his first national title with Alabama: “I just want everybody here to know: This is not the end, this is the beginning.”
For DeBoer, it truly was the start.
The 49-year-old made his debut with Alabama in Saturday night’s 63-0 victory over Western Kentucky. He took over from a seven-time national champion coach whose influence is still strong on campus and across college football.
“It was a lot of fun,” DeBoer said. “The walk of champions was special for many of our players. It’s always going to be like that. You can feel the excitement. It was a lot of fun, especially for the new guys.”
DeBoer wasn’t the only newcomer who made an impact for Alabama against a clearly overmatched opponent, though the players gave him the game ball.
Freshman Ryan Williams, one of DeBoer’s top recruits, demonstrated his talent by catching touchdown passes of 84 and 55 yards from Jalen Milroe in the first half.
“I’m going to be honest, it was just a matter of the ball in the air, it’s coming to me, so I’m going to do exactly what I practiced and make a play,” Williams said.
When asked about the open field in front of him, he said, “Just run fast and put some points on the board for my guys.”
These were his only catches, but they showcased the 17-year-old’s potential after he moved up a year to join Alabama early.
