The college football offseason, often characterized by transfer portal drama and recruiting battles, has taken an early, spicy turn thanks to some pointed remarks. Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos, ahead of his highly anticipated Week 1 clash against the Alabama Crimson Tide, threw down the gauntlet by declaring, “They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me.” This audacious statement, aimed squarely at a post-Saban Alabama, quickly became bulletin board material across the league.
However, not everyone is buying into Castellanos’s bold prediction. South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who faced Alabama last season in a narrow 27-25 defeat, has come to Alabama’s defense, offering a more measured, yet equally firm, perspective. Sellers’ response, reportedly delivered during an interview on “The Zach Gelb Show,” was unequivocal: “Shoot, Alabama is still Alabama to me. They were good last year, they’re a good team. They’re big, strong, and fast. That’s how I remember watching them growing up. And I don’t really think they’ve changed that much. Obviously, they’ve got a new coaching staff and all that but that’s still SEC ball. That’s still Alabama.”
Sellers’ comments carry significant weight, not just because he’s a starting SEC quarterback, but because he has firsthand experience battling the Crimson Tide. His 238 passing yards and two touchdowns against Alabama last season, nearly orchestrating an upset, give him a unique vantage point. He understands the physical and mental challenge that Alabama presents, regardless of who is on the sideline.
The context of Castellanos’s remark, and Sellers’ defense, is rooted in the seismic shift that occurred in college football earlier this year: Nick Saban’s retirement as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Saban, widely considered the greatest college football coach of all time, amassed an unparalleled legacy of six national championships at Alabama (seven overall) and transformed the program into an almost invincible dynasty. His departure, effective January 10, 2025, left a void that many believe no single coach can immediately fill.
Saban’s dominance wasn’t just about winning; it was about instilling a ruthless discipline, unparalleled player development, and a relentless pursuit of perfection. His ability to adapt to changing college football landscapes, from spread offenses to the transfer portal and NIL, was remarkable. Opposing teams often felt they were battling not just Alabama’s talent, but Saban’s tactical genius and the aura of invincibility he had created. When Castellanos says, “They don’t have Saban to save them,” he’s tapping into this sentiment – the idea that Alabama’s almost supernatural ability to pull out wins, especially in tight games, was directly tied to Saban’s presence.
Replacing Saban is Kalen DeBoer, who comes to Tuscaloosa fresh off a National Championship appearance with Washington. DeBoer’s offensive prowess and track record of quick turnarounds are undeniable, but he inherits a program under the brightest spotlight in college football, with expectations that are perpetually sky-high.
The transition from a legendary coach like Saban to any successor is inherently challenging. There will be questions about player retention, recruiting momentum, and how the program’s culture will evolve under a new leader. This uncertainty is what Castellanos is attempting to exploit, suggesting that without Saban’s “saving grace,” Alabama is vulnerable.
Sellers’ retort, “Alabama is still Alabama to me,” is a powerful statement of respect and a refusal to dismiss the program based solely on a coaching change. His reasoning is multi-faceted:
- Talent Pool: “They’re big, strong, and fast.” This is the fundamental truth about Alabama football, irrespective of the coach. Saban built a recruiting machine that consistently brought in five-star talent year after year. While some players did enter the transfer portal after Saban’s retirement, the core of elite talent remains. Alabama still has future NFL players across its roster. Sellers, having played against them, knows the physical superiority and athleticism that still defines the Crimson Tide.
- Program Culture and Infrastructure: “That’s how I remember watching them growing up, and I don’t really think they’ve changed that much.” This speaks to the institutional strength of Alabama football. The facilities, the tradition, the support staff, the fan base, and the overall winning culture that Saban built are deeply embedded. These elements don’t disappear overnight with a coaching change. The expectation of excellence, the commitment to strength and conditioning, and the belief in winning are ingrained in the program’s DNA.
- “SEC Ball”: “That’s still SEC ball, that’s still Bama.” The Southeastern Conference is widely considered the toughest conference in college football, known for its brutal physicality and elite competition. Playing in the SEC means every week is a battle, and Alabama, even under new leadership, remains one of the conference’s premier teams. Sellers understands the grind and the consistent level of play required in the SEC, and he knows Alabama will always bring that intensity.
- DeBoer’s Credentials: While Sellers doesn’t explicitly praise DeBoer, his implicit message is that Alabama still possesses a high-caliber coaching staff. DeBoer’s offensive mind and recent success at Washington cannot be ignored. While he is not Saban, he is an accomplished coach who will put his players in a position to succeed.
Castellanos’s comments are classic pre-game “trash talk” designed to generate buzz, create a narrative, and potentially get inside an opponent’s head. It’s a confident, almost arrogant, declaration typical of a quarterback trying to establish himself as a leader and rally his team. It’s also a tactic that can spectacularly backfire if the performance doesn’t match the bravado.
For Alabama, Castellanos’s remarks serve as immediate bulletin board material. Nothing motivates a highly talented team and a new coaching staff more than being publicly doubted, especially when the doubt is tied to the absence of their legendary coach. This kind of challenge will likely galvanize the Crimson Tide and give them extra motivation for their Week 1 matchup against Florida State.
The 2025 season will indeed be a litmus test for Alabama without Nick Saban. While Jalen Milroe was the starting quarterback in 2024, the quarterback situation for 2025 under Kalen DeBoer is open to competition. Ty Simpson, a former five-star, is seen as a strong contender, along with other talented young QBs like Dylan Lonergan, Austin Mack, and incoming five-star freshman Keelon Russell. The development of this new starting quarterback will be crucial for Alabama’s success.
LaNorris Sellers’ comments reflect the reality that while Saban is gone, the foundation of Alabama football remains formidable. The players are still elite, the infrastructure is world-class, and the competitive drive inherent in the SEC will push them to maintain a high standard. Castellanos’s words may provide a temporary headline, but Sellers’ defense reminds everyone that dismissing Alabama without Saban is a dangerous game. The Crimson Tide, under Kalen DeBoer, will be looking to prove that “Alabama is still Alabama,” regardless of who is “saving” them from the sidelines. The 2025 college football season promises to be a fascinating chapter in the ongoing narrative of the sport’s greatest dynasty.
