SAD NEWS: An Alabama star has shattered both of his legs and suffered a severe neck injury.

Kalen DeBoer is already making a strong impression among his new players as the head football coach at the University of Alabama. His character is shining through during his first few days on the job.

Replacing Nick Saban in terms of on-field performance is not an easy task. That could go unsaid.

However, what really set the greatest coach in college football history apart was his relationship with his team. It is something that will be hard to replicate. Especially as his direct successor.

Despite what could be considered an uphill battle in that regard, DeBoer is doing everything he can to assure his new roster that he will be more than just a figurehead. His focus is on developing them as people as much as it is to get them to the league, just like Saban.

Former four-star recruit Devonta Smith (no, not that DeVonta Smith) spoke very highly of DeBoer. The rising fourth-year defensive back is slated to play in a greater role next fall if healthy after working his way up the depth chart in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Smith did not have a passing conversation with DeBoer before offering his praise. He told Yea Alabama, the university’s official NIL entity, that they met for two full hours!

And then Smith made it abundantly clear that anyone on the team that is considering entry into the transfer portal would be ill-advised to do so without a conversation first.