Alabama Expects Multiple Ket Starters Back for CFP

The Alabama Crimson Tide has returned to the College Football Playoffs for a historic ninth time and will travel to Norman, Oklahoma, on Friday, December 19, for the first game of the 2025-26 edition of the College Football Playoffs.

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Alabama desperately needs the rest that it will get with a week off heading into Norman, as the Crimson Tide was down numerous key starters for the SEC Championship game on Saturday against Georgia, including running back Jam Miller, tight end Josh Cuevas, and left guard Kam Dewberry. During the SEC Championship, Alabama also lost cornerback Zabien Brown and linebacker Justin Jefferson during the game.

During Sunday's teleconference, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer talked about several of the starters that Alabama hopes to get back for the CFP matchup against Oklahoma.

"We haven't met and got the report, but just going off of last night, I would expect, with the severity, that they'll both be good to go with the whole week off here and stuff," DeBoer said about Zabien Brown and Justin Jefferson being back for the College Football Playoff.

DeBoer was also asked about the status of running back Jam Miller, tight end Josh Cuevas, and defensive lineman LT Overton, who all missed the SEC Championship. He was most confident about Miller returning, who has led Alabama in rushing this season with 493 yards despite missing significant time with injuries.

"I don’t know exactly on that," DeBoer said. "Jam, I feel, is probably the farthest along if I really kind of put that in order. I feel that he’s got a really strong chance of being not just available, but ready to go at a level you can compete and do some good things for us.

“Josh would be… he’s on his way. Kind of just got to keep evaluating with him. I'm holding on to some pretty good hope. But you know, we'll see. He hasn’t seen our training staff yet here today, but every day now for the next four or five days, they all matter. They all matter for all these guys. We’ll just continue to evaluate where LT’s at, and add Kelby Collins to the mix with their illnesses and some of the things they’re going through.

“I’m optimistic on a lot of these guys. I think the other part is just so many guys that in the last two, three weeks, even going back to the Oklahoma game, a number of our guys got dinged up and just grinding through it. Some of the guys, if it was someone else, they probably wouldn’t have played, but our guys wanted to get out there last night and go compete, do everything they could to help the team out.”

As a reminder, the College Football Playoff has implemented availability reports ahead of playoff games for the 2025-26 edition of the CFP.

Alabama will face Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff in Norman, Oklahoma, on Friday, December 19, at 7:00 p.m. CT.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.