Keenan Down, Smith, Beaman and Hill Thrust Into the Fire: Kalen DeBoer Declares ‘New Guys Will Have to Step Up’

Tim Keenan’s injury didn’t just shake up Alabama’s defensive line—it lit a fire under the entire Crimson Tide locker room. With the veteran defensive tackle forced to undergo tightrope surgery after suffering an ankle injury in practice, head coach Kalen DeBoer faced the media with a mix of realism and resolve. The message was clear: the plan has changed, and some young guys are going to have to grow up fast.

Keenan wasn’t just another player in the rotation. He was a stabilizing force, a fifth-year senior, a leader on and off the field, and a key part of the interior that held opponents in check during Alabama’s grittiest stretches last season. At 6-foot-2, 315 pounds, Keenan was more than just mass in the middle—he had developed the timing, strength, and football IQ that makes a defensive tackle truly disruptive. His loss leaves a massive void, not just in snaps, but in leadership and identity up front. And now, DeBoer has named the three men who’ll be charged with filling that void—James Smith, Jeremiah Beaman, and Edric Hill.

This wasn’t a pep talk. This was a challenge.

James Smith, a name familiar to those who’ve followed the depth chart closely, is expected to take the brunt of the reps in Keenan’s absence. A former top recruit, Smith has the raw power and physical traits coaches drool over—standing 6-foot-3 and pushing 320 pounds, he’s built in the mold of classic SEC linemen. But raw traits only get you so far, and DeBoer knows that. In camp, Smith had been working his way into the rotation, and while he’s shown flashes, the consistency hasn’t always been there. Now, there’s no time left to learn. The whistle’s about to blow in Tallahassee, and Smith will be in the middle of it all. Whether he’s ready or not isn’t a question the staff has the luxury to ask anymore.

Jeremiah Beaman is next in line. The redshirt sophomore has been something of a quiet riser, a player who’s impressed more in practice than in box scores. At 6-foot-4, 314 pounds, Beaman brings size and reach that can disrupt passing lanes, collapse the pocket, and occupy double-teams—when he’s firing on all cylinders. Coaches have spoken about his improved pad level and hand usage over the spring and summer, and he’s earned reps in the rotation. But those were change-of-pace snaps. Those were plays designed to give starters a breather. Now? Now it’s his job to bring down Florida State’s run game and prevent Jordan Travis from finding space in the pocket. It’s not about flashes anymore. It’s about down-after-down production.

Then there’s Edric Hill—a slightly different case. Lighter than Smith and Beaman, Hill’s game is more about agility, footwork, and speed off the snap. He’s listed around 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, and while he may not have the bulk of a traditional SEC nose tackle, he compensates with burst and technique. What makes Hill’s emergence more intriguing is how quietly he’s moved through the offseason. At one point during fall camp, he was notably absent from practice viewings, sparking speculation about health or depth chart status. But now, he’s one of three men DeBoer publicly called upon to step up. That doesn’t happen unless the staff has confidence—real confidence—in his ability to hold his ground against Power Five offensive lines.

What this trio shares is potential. What they lack—experience—they’ll be forced to build under the brightest of lights. Week one against Florida State is not a soft launch. There are no cupcakes here. No four-score cushions or second-half rest periods. The Seminoles return a veteran offensive line, a creative run game, and a quarterback who will test containment and discipline every single snap. This is trial by fire, and DeBoer knows it.

And yet, he didn’t flinch when speaking about the situation. That’s telling. Because while Keenan’s injury is a blow, it doesn’t change Alabama’s standard. DeBoer didn’t say the game plan would be scaled back. He didn’t hint at leaning more on the edges or linebackers to pick up the slack. He said “new guys will have to step up,” period. That’s a coach trusting his process, trusting the culture, and most importantly, trusting the players.

The timing of this couldn’t be more intense. Alabama’s defensive identity under DeBoer is still forming. He’s a year removed from replacing a legendary figure in Nick Saban. Everything about this season, from the way they tackle to the way they celebrate third-down stops, is part of a new foundation. And losing Keenan right before a major season opener is the kind of test that reveals whether that foundation is solid or shaky. If the new-look Tide can weather this loss and still bring heat up front, it will say more about DeBoer’s program than any spring practice quote ever could.

Behind the scenes, the shift has already begun. Defensive line coach Freddie Roach has reportedly ramped up the reps for Smith, Beaman, and Hill in practice. There’s less time spent on walkthroughs and more time spent in live-snap scenarios. The plan is to simulate the pressure, the reads, the chaos that comes with real game speed. Every day between now and kickoff is precious. There’s no time to coddle or wait for someone to emerge naturally. This is sink-or-swim football, and Alabama doesn’t tolerate sinking.

DeBoer’s also counting on veteran support to guide these guys. Justin Jefferson, Jihaad Campbell, and other experienced defenders have been seen taking more time between drills to talk with the young linemen. It’s not just about technique. It’s about mentality. It’s about knowing how to line up against a fast-paced offense, keep your head clear, and still fire off the ball with conviction. These guys have never had to do it for 40 snaps in a game that counts. But they’re about to.

There’s also the strategic component. With Keenan out, expect Alabama to tweak some alignments. They may lean into more rotation early, using different combinations to keep fresh legs in the game and prevent any one player from being overwhelmed. They might slide bigger edge players inside in certain packages. Flexibility will be key, but so will communication—and that’s what Keenan brought most consistently. Without him, it’s on the next guy to make the right calls, plug the right gaps, and lead with his play.

That’s where someone like Smith has a chance to go from “talented prospect” to “reliable starter” in one month flat. If he can hold his gap, shed blockers, and show the discipline to contain Florida State’s misdirection, his confidence will skyrocket. Same with Beaman. Same with Hill. These next few games are not just about surviving. They’re about proving.

And for fans worried this could derail Alabama’s early-season chances, remember: this isn’t the first time the Crimson Tide has faced early adversity. What defines elite programs isn’t how clean the schedule is—it’s how deep the bench is. And if DeBoer’s right, and these young guys are ready, Alabama may come out of this stronger than before. Not just because of what they’ll gain when Keenan returns, but because of what they’ve discovered in the meantime.

There’s a certain energy in moments like this. The unknown, the urgency, the quiet players who suddenly have a spotlight on them. Smith, Beaman, and Hill didn’t expect to be the center of attention this week. But here they are, three young men with their hands in the dirt, eyes on the ball, and the weight of a dynasty on their shoulders. Their coach believes in them. Their teammates are rallying around them. And the season isn’t waiting.

Saturday night in Tallahassee is coming fast. The Seminoles won’t care who’s injured. They won’t slow down for backups. But maybe—just maybe—that’s exactly the kind of chaos where Alabama thrives.