Nick Saban Admits What 'Worried' Him Most About Alabama This Season

The college football world will look slightly different this season, as arguably the best coach of all time will no longer be roaming the sidelines.

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban is now an analyst for ESPN's "College GameDay" after leading the Crimson Tide to six titles during his tenure in Tuscaloosa from 2007-23. While he no longer has the headset or a whistle on, he still gets a chance to talk about his former squad.

On the first edition of "College GameDay" this season, Saban discussed his former squad with the rest of the crew in Dublin, Ireland, and got a bit honest about them. He revealed that while he's confident in his replacement, Kalen DeBoer, it was the defense that worried him initially.

"Kalen has done a really good job," Saban said. "He's had to replace some players because so many guys transferred. But I really think Alabama, with Jalen Milroe, the two running backs that they have. I was worried about the defense, but I think the defense really impressed me in their scrimmage. They have come along."

The most notable player that DeBoer had to replace was SEC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-SEC selection Caleb Downs. The safety transferred to Ohio State after Saban's retirement, and despite his young age, he was already viewed as one of the best players in the country.

However, DeBoer inherited a recruiting class from Saban with three five-star defensive backs, and was also able to a handful of portal defensive backs, headlined by Michigan's Keon Sabb. He also hired South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack as his defensive coordinator after his Jaguars' defense ranked No. 15 in the country last season.

Offensively, the Tide are home to one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and DeBoer is renowned for his offensive prowess which could mean we see an even better version of Milroe.

The Tide will open their season next and kick off the DeBoer era Saturday, August 31, against Western Kentucky.

Related: Deion Sanders Makes Final Decision On Reporter After 'Sustained Personal Attacks'