Alabama player on post-Saban season: ‘The standard lives through us’

The Alabama Crimson Tide is just days away from kicking off a new era of football in Tuscaloosa.

After 17 years of what might be the greatest run the sport has ever witnessed, evolution is inevitable under the leadership of Kalen DeBoer, who succeeds Nick Saban. However, one prominent Tide player, who also happens to be one of the team’s leaders and top performers, insists that the standard set by Saban isn’t going anywhere.

Guard Tyler Booker, who had an outstanding sophomore season in 2023 when he stepped into a starting role, has been one of the most vocal players in affirming his commitment to Alabama, despite Saban’s retirement.

“No amount of money could buy me away from Alabama and my legacy here,” Booker said after numerous of his teammates entered the portal. 

Now, as we sit just days away from the 2024 season, Booker says the Alabama standard established under Saban is not going anywhere.

“Everyone thinks that with Coach Saban being gone, we’re not going to be the same,” Booker said during an appearance on The Next Round. “The standard lives through us and that’s what Coach Saban instilled in us….Alabama football is still gonna be played on Saturday at 6 p.m. and nothing has changed from that aspect.”

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online