Just three days before the 90th Iron Bowl, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has suspended three freshmen players for Saturday’s showdown against Auburn after they were caught on video partying at a Tuscaloosa nightclub Wednesday night, hours after missing practice with reported “health issues.”
Sources inside the Alabama football facility told Tide Illustrated that DeBoer was shown the video shortly after Thursday’s practice. Upon confirming the identities of the players, he immediately informed the trio they would not travel with the team to Auburn and would be inactive for the game.
The three freshmen (whose names have not been officially released by the program) are all members of the 2025 signing class and were listed as limited or non-participants in Wednesday’s practice report due to illness.
According to multiple players in the locker room, DeBoer addressed the team Thursday evening and delivered a blunt message:
“You skip practice, lie about why you’re skipping it, then go out all night at a club and think you’re still going to wear this jersey on Saturday? That’s not how this works here. Not now, not ever.”
The decision has divided the Alabama fan base on social media. Some praised DeBoer for upholding the program’s standards during a season that has already seen multiple disciplinary incidents, while others questioned the timing, arguing that thinning an already banged-up roster ahead of the Iron Bowl could jeopardize the Crimson Tide’s slim College Football Playoff hopes.
Alabama enters the game 8-3 (4-3 SEC) and ranked No. 13. A loss to Auburn would almost certainly eliminate the Tide from playoff contention.
DeBoer briefly addressed the suspensions during his Friday availability:
“We have standards and expectations. When those aren’t met, there are consequences — regardless of the opponent or what’s at stake. That’s the culture we’re building.”
The Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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