5 players who will need to step up during Alabama's first fall camp under Kalen DeBoer ft. Jalen Milroe

After 17 years, the Alabama Crimson Tide will enter the fall practice under Kalen DeBoer instead of Nick Saban, who retired in January. The season opener against Western Kentucky is just over four weeks away.

To start the new era, several players will need to step up in terms of production and leadership as the Crimson Tide attempts to prepare for a season where they are considered underdogs in many quarters.

So, which five players will Kalen DeBoer lean on during the fall camp?

#5. Kadyn Proctor

When Kadyn Proctor entered the transfer portal to Iowa due to Nick Saban's retirement, Alabama fans thought it was the last they had seen of the offensive tackle.

After returning, he has mainly worked with the second unit, but he was an All-American Freshman and will likely make it back into the first unit due to his talent. Proctor has since apologized to his teammates and has been reintegrated into the group by his coach Kalen DeBoer.

#4. Wilkin Formby

Offensive tackle Wilkin Formby has taken more of a leadership role in the Alabama dressing room this year, and he was key in convincing fellow offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor to return to Tuscaloosa from Iowa, as revealed in a 247Sports interview.

"You're going to come back, man," Formby said.

"We would joke all the time," Proctor said, "and then it just turned into reality."

Formby will be in rotation with Miles McVay and Elijah Pritchett in the offensive tackle room. But he has the upper hand after a stellar A-Day performance and has started as the right tackle in spring practice.

#3. Emmanuel Henderson Jr.

Wide receiver Henderson Jr. is poised to thrive in the new offensive scheme favored by coach Kalen DeBoer, which makes use of quick passing and allows the WR to receive the ball in acres of space.

Henderson is a former five-star prospect who changed from a running back to a wide receiver. His work during the spring practice has earned him praise from position coach JaMarcus Shephard.

“This young man’s (Henderson) growth to me has been the one that has stuck out the most,” Shephard said to reporters during spring practice. “He really seems to be taking this opportunity and running with it.”

#2. DeVonta Smith

Defensive back DeVonta Smith's development was disrupted by a foot injury last year, which kept him out of action for a majority of the season. Still, he played during A-Day and will be tasked with establishing himself as a starter.

While speaking to reporters, Alabama linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator Kane Wommack was optimistic about Smith's development.

“I’m excited about Smitty,” Wommack said. “I think he can cover. He’s a big frame, 200-plus pounds, and I think he can process and make checks and adjustments. That Husky position is so critical to what we do because we ask a lot out of that player, and I think Smitty has that.”

#1. Kalen DeBoer will lean on Jalen Milroe most

Talented quarterback Jalen Milroe will undoubtedly be the leader of the Alabama dressing room, and coach Kalen DeBoer has highlighted his importance to the team and praised his dual-threat abilities several times during the past few months.

Milroe has had three offensive coordinators in the past three years, and it has been another summer of change. The quarterback has been hard at work learning the new offensive schemes that will be demanded of him.

DeBoer favors a different quick, pass-heavy style from Saban, and his signal-caller will be vital to his plans to succeed in his role.

During the SEC media days, Jalen Milroe seemed to embrace the responsibility that had been placed on his shoulders.

"Each offensive staff member has been great, Coach DeBoer is very confident in me and our offense to go out and play to our standard. So I’d say, this has been a great journey that has allowed me to grow as a player,” Milroe said.

Kalen DeBoer will rely on the above players to help grease the wheels of his first year in Tuscaloosa as he attempts to settle into the shoes of the legendary Nick Saban.