DeBoer makes unofficial Alabama coaching debut

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama fans hungry for a return to national-title contention filled Bryant-Denny Stadium for Nick Saban’s first spring game.

Kalen DeBoer steps into a much different situation 17 years later. DeBoer wrapped up his first spring with the Crimson Tide on Saturday just a few months into the task of trying to maintain the juggernaut Saban built while navigating a very different world of NIL and the transfer portal.

His unofficial debut at BryantDenny Stadium drew an announced crowd of 72,358 for the A-Day game, nearly 2,000 more than Husky Stadium’s capacity at Washington. If the scrimmage was not a true gauge of how Alabama will look in DeBoer’s first season, the turnout illustrates the level of interest — and perhaps curiosity and anxiety.

“Saban’s the type of guy, he built something,” said seasonticket holder Todd Eddleman, a 58-year-old from Cullman who also was at Saban’s first spring game. “He doesn’t want to see it lose either. He’s proud of what he built. This guy right here, he can keep it up there, there’s no doubt in my mind. I think he’s a great recruiter and coach. I think he’s done a fabulous job, and that’s not an easy thing to do.”

Saban’s first A-Day scrimmage drew a then-capacity 92,138 fans in 2007, but he arrived for a program on a 15-year national title drought.

DeBoer, who led Washington to the national championship game in his second year, said it was his first taste of “feeling the energy and the excitement. That was a lot of fun.”

Utah’s Rising back after missing season

Cam Rising is right on schedule in his comeback from a severe knee injury.

Rising led the offense for three series in Utah’s spring football game Saturday. The senior quarterback had a strong outing in his first live game since sitting out the entire 2023 season, throwing for 208 yards and two touchdowns while completing 15 of 19 passes.

He led the Red squad to a 41-21 victory over the White.

“Feeling strong,” Rising said. “(I have) been accruing a lot of reps and it’s good to be out there with the guys making plays and watching them go.”

Rising will give Utah valuable veteran leadership in the team’s Big 12 debut after leading the Utes to Pac-12 titles in 2021 and 2022.

Entering his sixth season with the Utes, Rising has a deep familiarity with offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig’s offense. He has 25 career starts at Utah and has accrued at least 200 passing yards in 15 games — including two 300-yard games and one 400-yard-performance.

Rising may have a new playmaking threat as a target for his passes in the fall. USC transfer Dorian Singer tallied a teamhigh 92 yards on five catches during the three drives Rising directed the offense.

Iamaleava era finally starts at Tennessee

The Nico Iamaleava era finally has arrived at Tennessee.

Sure, the No. 2 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class debuted in the Vols’ rout of Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.

Now the quarterback capped Tennessee’s spring practice Saturday giving fans a first glimpse of how much he’s grown before the Vols’ season opener Aug. 31 against Chattanooga.

The native of Long Beach, Calif., didn’t play much Saturday, but he hit on 7 of 9 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Iamaleava is the first quarterback that coach Josh Heupel signed out of high school to run his up-tempo offense at Tennessee.