Amid the ongoing return of some NFL players to the college level, every program is having to made quick decisions regarding uncharted scenarios. That includes the Alabama Crimson Tide, and coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed on Monday that adding a former player back to the roster could be in the cards — though it doesn't seem like a move is imminent. "Overall, in general, kind of how that works, [athletic director] Greg Byrne communicated with me and us about just what you can and can't do," DeBoer told reporters, as shown in video shared by FOX54 News Huntsville.
"There is a possibility out there of someone who was on our roster in the past. Again, right now, he wouldn't be able to come in and play." DeBoer is likely referencing the ongoing court battle regarding the recruiting class of 2022, members of which were recently given another year of NCAA eligibility in one court ruling, then had a stay placed on that ruling. Some players, like Thomas Castellanos formerly of Florida State, have been granted their own rulings and are transferring to new schools.
DeBoer didn't say specifically which player from the Class of 2022, recruited by former coach Nick Saban, would possibly be eligible, and the next question shifted the topic to kickers and punters. But multiple players in that class seemed to never quite reach their potential or transferred out. Granted, it's almost definitely not Jihaad Campbell, Ty Simpson or Tyler Booker, all of whom seem very happy on their NFL teams, but wide receiver Kobe Prentice was just cut by the New England Patriots.
Is a return to Tuscaloosa in his future? Could running back Jam Miller, who's fighting for a roster spot, return to help address the injuries in the backfield? It's hard to say, as so much of this new landscape remains unsettled.
It's also something DeBoer said he can't worry about right now, though, as he acknowledged, change can come quickly. "Just got to see how things move forward and progress," he said. "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, but I know there's a lot of conference and national [officials] figuring this thing out, and Greg Byrne continues to keep me updated on everything." In this strange new world, perhaps tomorrow might look like a familiar face coming back to don the crimson and white.
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