Kalen DeBoer, “I have a Feeling Most Will Play”

Tuscaloosa, AL - Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer met with the media on Sunday night, sharing his thoughts on Alabama just missing out on the College Football Playoffs and preparing for Michigan in the rematch of last year's Rose Bowl.

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Alabama was left out of the College Football Playoffs, despite having an argument based on the strength of schedule and hanging its hat on a win over Georgia earlier in the season. Kalen DeBoer called it "disappointing."

"Certainly disappointed we weren't one of the 12 selected. Certainly feel we were one of those," DeBoer said.

Following his comments about the playoff selection, DeBoer turned the page to the final 15 practices of the season and the rematch for both he and the Crimson Tide against the Michigan Wolverines.

Alabama has several draft-eligible, and draft likely, players on the roster, notably led by Tyler Booker, Jalen Milroe, Malachi Moore, and Jihaad Campbell.

DeBoer was asked about the draft-eligible players potentially opting out of the Reliaquest Bowl against Michigan, "I have the feeling right now that most of those guys are going to play.”

DeBoer also mentioned several players know about Alabama's 10-win season streak, going back to 2008, and they want to keep that alive.

DeBoer was asked specifically about Tyler Booker and Jalen Milroe, who are Alabama's current two most likely candidates to be drafted in the first round, opting out of the game, "It's positive on those guys. It's positive on other guys, too."

DeBoer said he would not give a definite answer, but he wanted to let Booker and Milroe, as well as the other draft-eligible players, make their own announcement whether or not they will play.

Alabama will travel to Tampa, Florida for a rematch of last year's Rose Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 Reliaquest Bowl on December, 31. Kick-off is set for 1:00 a.m. CT.