New Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb engineered one of the most prolific offenses in college football over the past two seasons at the University of Washington. The shotgun attack featured a heavy emphasis on the short passing game, but included plenty of vertical routes that went for explosive plays, with a remarkable variety of wrinkles and a high degree of unpredictability. And while the high-flying Huskies were led by a Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback in Michael Penix last year, they ran the ball well enough for Dillon Johnson, a transfer from Mississippi State, to rumble for 1,195 yards and 16 touchdowns over 15 games.
The Deober/Grubb approach to offense bears little resemblance to what Alabama ran under former offensive coordinator Tommy Rees last year, so installation will be a major adjustment for the Crimson Tide’s returning offensive players. DeBoer said upon being hired that his offensive staff will tailor the offense to the talent on hand, and to the extent that he’s willing to do so, that should make the transition somewhat easier. But make no mistake: Alabama’s offense isn’t going to look at all the same. Below, we unpack some of the key differences, and note a few similarities, that can be expected.
You can also see much of what’s featured in the Tuscaloosa News’ All-22 Film Room breakdown of the DeBoer/Grubb offense.
The DeBoer/Grubb passing attack
The Huskies attack defenses with a bevy of screen passes and short throws, but the route concepts often include a vertical pattern, allowing the quarterback to take deep shots here and there. UW averaged 344 passing yards per game, which ranked No. 2 in the nation. The screen package is diverse and oft-called by Grubb; UW threw 73 screen passes on the year, an average of once every eight throws. That’s a far heavier reliance on the screen game than what Alabama fans saw from Tommy Rees last year. Grubb also likes to run dual crossing routes across the middle from opposite sides of the field, creating a “rub” with one receiver to free another and strain the defense horizontally. Throw in a good dose of short curl routes against loose coverage, and it’s little wonder that opposing pass rushes averaged less than a sack per game against Washington. The offense is designed for the quarterback to get rid of the ball quickly.
GOODBREAD:Alabama football QB Jalen Milroe in for major adjustment to Kalen DeBoer offense
VIDEO ANALYSIS:All-22 film room: Inside the Kalen DeBoer offense coming to Alabama football this fall
What formations will Alabama employ?
On this question, there are two areas where Washington and Alabama were similar last year: 1) Both primarily lined up in the shotgun with one running back offset to one side; 2) Both made frequent use of “12” personnel (one running back, two tight ends). Beyond that, the DeBoer/Grubb attack last year was much more diverse, formationally speaking, than Alabama’s. Washington used more pre-snap motion. It often lined up a tight end and an H-back beside a tackle to create an extended edge to the offensive line. Its trips formations (three wide receivers to one side) were sometimes split wide but other times bunched close to the offensive li
The newly appointed Alabama football coach, Kalen DeBoer, and offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, are renowned for orchestrating a highly successful offense at the University of Washington. Their system, in stark contrast to the previous Alabama approach led by Tommy Rees, emphasizes a dynamic and unpredictable style of play. Here are some key aspects of the DeBoer/Grubb offensive strategy and how it differs from Alabama’s previous system:
Passing Attack:
- Versatile Passing Approach: DeBoer and Grubb employ a diverse passing attack, featuring an array of screen passes, short throws, and vertical routes. The emphasis on short passing is complemented by occasional deep shots downfield, contributing to explosive plays.
- High Passing Yardage: The Washington offense, under their guidance, averaged an impressive 344 passing yards per game, ranking second in the nation. This is a significant departure from Alabama’s previous style.
- Screen Game Emphasis: Grubb relies heavily on a diverse screen package, executing 73 screen passes in a season, providing a unique dimension to the passing game. This contrasts sharply with the previous Alabama offense.
- Dual Crossing Routes: Grubb utilizes dual crossing routes across the middle, creating opportunities for receivers by causing defensive confusion. This strategic approach helps the quarterback make quick decisions and minimizes sacks.
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