Category: Bama in XFL

Two former Alabama players selected in 2023 XFL Rookie Draft

Former Alabama players Jahleel Billingsley and Chadarius Townsend were recently drafted in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft.

Former Alabama players Chadarius Townsend and Jahleel Billingsley were drafted in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft on Friday.

Townsend was drafted by the Seattle Sea Dragons and Billingsley was drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas.

In order for Townsend and Billingsley to have been eligible for the draft, both players had to be eligible for the April NFL Draft and not under contract to any other team.

Billingsley spent three seasons at Alabama before transferring to Texas for his senior season. Billingsley struggled to stay on the field for the Longhorns due to off-the-field issues.

Over the course of his college career, Billingsley hauled in 40 receptions for 597 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

Townsend spent three seasons as a reserve running back at Alabama. Upon transferring to Texas Tech in 2020, Townsend played both running back and wide receiver. As a Red Raider, Townsend had 28 carries for 164 yards and one touchdown. He also had three receptions for 23 yards.

The two will look to forge a path for themselves in the XFL. Several players in the past have done so and received opportunities in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how the two perform at the professional level.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama football players at the professional level.

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Former Alabama QB AJ McCarron continues to impress in the XFL

Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has been a household name in the XFL this season and he continues to have impressive performances.

It has not been smooth sailing for former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron since he departed Tuscaloosa in 2014. The Alabama native has had his ups and downs but has found a good spot for himself.

McCarron is currently the quarterback for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the newly-formed XFL. The former Alabama signal-caller has been the team’s starting quarterback since the season kicked off in late February.

He has made seven starts for the Battlehawks and has helped the team win consistently. The Battlehawks are currently 5-2 and sit in second place in the XFL North.

McCarron has led the way having passed for 1,544 yards while completing 68.9% of the passes he has thrown. He also has thrown an impressive 17 touchdowns with just four interceptions on the year.

Despite McCarron turning 33 years old in September, he could make a return to the NFL. In all likelihood, he would serve as a team’s backup quarterback.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow McCarron’s professional career as well as other former Alabama players competing at the professional level.

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A.J. McCarron delivers another stellar performance in the XFL

Former Alabama star A.J. McCarron continues to shine in the XFL!

The St, Louis Battlehawks improved to 4-2 on the season Saturday night with a 29-6 beatdown of the Las Vegas Vipers.

The Battlehawks were led by an impressive performance from legendary Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, A.J. McCarron.

McCarron finished the game 23-29 for 236 yards and three touchdowns.

The Battlehawks’ success this season has been in large part to the clutch play of McCarron who has helped lead two come-from-behind victories and has been one of the best quarterbacks in the XFL.

For the season, McCarron has now passed for 1,322 yards, 14 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. All while completing over 67% of his pass attempts.

Up next for McCarron and the Battlehawks is a trip to Texas next Sunday to take on the Houston Roughnecks.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

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Dont’a Hightower announces retirement from the NFL

Former Crimson Tide LB, Dont’a Hightower, announces retirement from the NFL

Former Alabama Crimson Tide great, Dont’a Hightower, has officially announced his retirement from the NFL. Hightower spent the entirety of his career with the New England Patriots and was a three-time Super Bowl champion.

Along with the Super Bowl victories, Hightower is also a two-time Pro Bowler, a second-team All-Pro and a member of the New England Patriots All-Dynasty team. He also started as a true freshman for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide and was a two-time BCS national champion. It is difficult to find a player more accomplished than Hightower.

Hightower sat out the entirety of the 2022 season which lead to some speculation that he would likely retire, which was ultimately the final decision.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

WATCH: A.J. McCarron delivers a heartfelt postgame interview after his second victory in the XFL

A.J. McCarron delivers a heartfelt postgame interview after his second victory in the XFL.

Last week, in his XFL debut, former Alabama star quarterback A.J. McCarron led an improbable comeback for the St. Louis Battlehawks. On Thursday night, McCarron delivered again for the Battlehawks as they defeated the Seattle Sea Dragons 18-17.

McCarron once again led the Battlehawks on a last-minute drive before St. Louis kicker Donald Hageman nailed a 44-yard field goal as time expired.

McCarron finished the game 22-36 for 184 yards and one touchdown. McCarron also led the Battlehawks in rushing with 41 yards on five attempts.

Following the win, McCarron spoke to an ESPN sideline reporter and was asked what these moments in the XFL meant to him and more specifically his sons and McCarron delivered a heartfelt response.

Watch this!

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire as we continue to follow McCarron’s XFL career!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

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Two former Alabama players drafted by Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL

Thomas Fletcher and Chris Owens were both drafted by the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL.

Alabama fans were able to see former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron join the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL. Now, two other Tide alumni will team up for the Seattle Sea Dragons. Long snapper Thomas Fletcher and offensive tackle Chris Owens were both drafted by the newly-established team. The two were once teammates at the University of Alabama.

Owens spent six seasons with the Tide. The Texas native played every position along the offensive line. Last season, he started 12 games at right tackle while making one start at center. His experience and leadership helped the Tide reach the College Football Playoff.

As for Fletcher, he spent four seasons in Tuscaloosa as the team’s starting long snapper. He was eventually drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He went on to spend one season with the organization before being waived in August of this year.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow both of their careers at the professional level.

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Former Alabama QB A.J. McCarron drafted to the XFL

The former Alabama QB legend will get a fresh start in the newly-revived XFL.

Former Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron is a legend in Tuscaloosa. The Alabama native won three national championships with the Crimson Tide in his tenure with the program from 2010 through 2013.

McCarron was drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and has been a career backup, bouncing around the league. He’s played on a total of five different NFL teams.

Now, McCarron will likely get an opportunity to showcase his talents as a starting quarterback. The St. Louis Battlehawks of the revived XFL drafted the former Crimson Tide star.

With the 2023 season of the league gearing up, Roll Tide wire will continue to follow McCarron and other former Alabama players that may appear in the league.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Could a Crimson Tide reunion happen in Dallas?

Patrick Surtain is slated to be the first cornerback drafted in the 2021 NFL draft. One popular spot for him is the Dallas Cowboys …

There are plenty of former Alabama stars in the NFL, who are spread out all across the league. With the 2021 draft quickly approaching and mock drafts heating up, numerous teams could select another Alabama player to add to their roster.

One of those teams could be the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys already have former Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper on their roster, but added former Crimson Tide cornerback Trevon Diggs in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

In his rookie season, Diggs played in 12 games where he recorded 14 pass deflections, three interceptions and a forced fumble.

Now, the Cowboys may look to add to their secondary by drafting another Alabama star, Patrick Surtain II.

Surtain recently spoke on the possibility of playing alongside Diggs in the NFL.

Former Alabama coach and player, Ray Perkins, dies at 79

Ray Perkins played wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1964-1966. During his time in Tuscaloosa, Perkins helped lead

Ray Perkins played wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1964-1966. During his time in Tuscaloosa, Perkins helped lead Alabama to two national championships and was named an All-American in 1966.

Perkins passed away on Wednesday morning in Tuscaloosa, according to Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News. He was 79 years old.

While Perkins was a star for the Crimson Tide in the 1960s, he is perhaps best known for his coaching career.

FILE – In this Dec. 5, 1966, file photo, Alabama football players hoist coach Paul “Bear” Bryant to their shoulders after the Crimson Tide finished an unbeaten, untied season with a 31-0 triumph over Auburn in Birmingham, Ala. Identifiable players are, from left, John Mosley, Ray Perkins, Jerry Duncan and Wayne Trimble. Despite Alabama’s success in the 1960s, the Tide was only voted No. 1 nine times. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly, File)

After a five-year NFL career with the Baltimore Colts, where Perkins won a Super Bowl, he began his long coaching career as an assistant at Mississippi State.

Perkins would return to the NFL in 1974 as a receivers coach with the New England Patriots for four seasons before taking over as offensive coordinator with the San Diego Chargers in 1978.

Perkins would get his first shot as a head coach with the New York Giants from 1979-1982.

He returned to his alma mater as head coach from 1983-1986, replacing the legendary Bear Bryant. Perkins finished with a 32-15-1 record with the Crimson Tide during his four seasons in charge.

It was during his four years as head coach of the Crimson Tide where he coached some of the best players in school history, including Derrick Thomas and Cornelius Bennett.

In 1987, he accepted the job as head coach of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he spent the next four years.

His last major head-coaching job was in 1992 with Arkansas State.

Perkins returned to the New England Patriots as offensive coordinator from 1993-1996, under Bill Parcells, where he mentored No. 1 overall pick, Drew Bledsoe.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 23: New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe (L) talks with offensive coordinator Ray Perkins during their team workout 23 January at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Patriots will play the Green Bay Packers 26 January in Super Bowl XXXI in the Louisiana Superdome. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) (Photo credit should read R. EMMETT SULLIVAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Perkins spent two stints with the Cleveland Browns as an assistant coach and spent one year with the Oakland Raiders in the late 1990s and 2000.

He returned to coaching in 2012 as head coach of Jones County Junior College in Mississippi, where he coached for two years. His final season in coaching was spent as a volunteer coach at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Perkins also served as Alabama’s athletic director for a time and was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

Perkins lived in Tuscaloosa after his retirement.

 

 

 

Stone Cold Steve Austin reps University of Alabama on beer run

Who was that masked man repping Alabama while on a beer run on the “Mean Streets of LA?” None other than WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin, who made sure to cover his nose and mouth with a Crimson Tide-themed mask while heading out for some …

Who was that masked man repping Alabama while on a beer run on the “Mean Streets of LA?”

None other than WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin, who made sure to cover his nose and mouth with a Crimson Tide-themed mask while heading out for some libations Wednesday.

#Rolltide. Hell, yeah!