How Kalen DeBoer challenged Alabama football before the LSU game

Alabama football has permanent captains this season, but Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer wants to see more than these four captains step up.

He has made it clear that the invitation to lead extends beyond quarterback Jalen Milroe, linebacker Deontae Lawson, guard Tyler Booker and safety Malachi Moore.

“The leaders, you know, I challenged our team to not just push the leaders forward, but to have a team full of leaders at this point,” DeBoer said Monday. “That’s not possible, these freshmen aren’t newbies, the new guys coming into this program aren’t just newbies anymore. This is our team. That was the message, but really it’s about them all doing their best as leaders.”

DeBoer said that means taking responsibility for yourself and “then bringing someone else along as well.”

“That’s been the challenge over the last few weeks and we’re going to continue to focus on that,” DeBoer said.

The Crimson Tide is in position to pick up a win to have a chance at making the College Football Playoff. Alabama already has two losses, albeit against teams ranked No. 7 Tennessee and No. 24 Vanderbilt.

Now, No. 11 Alabama will face No. 14 LSU on Saturday, Nov. 9 (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The winner will keep their playoff hopes alive. The loser will be all but eliminated from CFP competition.