With 97 days remaining until the Alabama football season starts, let’s honor the legacy of a famous No. 97 who is gone too soon.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will take the field for the 2022 college football season in 97 days, as Utah State visits Bryant Denny Stadium on Sept. 3.
This will be Alabama’s first season-opener at home in quite some time, as the 18-time national champs are usually selected for a nationally televised kickoff game at a neutral site against a big-time opponent.
Here at Roll Tide Wire, we will be counting down the days until [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and his team take the field.
Today, with 97 days remaining, we honor a fallen former Alabama star who’s life ended all to early in [autotag]Lorenzo Washington[/autotag].
Washington was a member of the Crimson Tide from 2005-2009. During his redshirt sophomore season, Washington saw his playing time significatlly increase. During his career with the Tide, Washington had 12 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Sadly, in 2021 at the age of 34, Washington passed away. In honor of Washington’s legacy with the Tide, here is a gallery with the best photos of the former Alabama defensive lineman.
With just 98 days until Alabama kicks off its 2022 football season, let’s take a closer look at which player wears No. 98 for the Tide now.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will take the field for the 2022 college football season in 98 days, as Utah State visits Bryant Denny Stadium on Sept. 3.
This will be Alabama’s first season-opener at home in quite some time, as the 18-time national champs are usually selected for a nationally televised kickoff game at a neutral site against a big-time opponent.
Here at Roll Tide Wire, we will be counting down the days until [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and his team take the field.
Today, with 98 days remaining, we take a look at a rising star that wears the No. 98 currently for the Crimson Tide, [autotag]Jamil Burroughs[/autotag].
Burroughs came to Tuscaloosa as a four-star recruit in the 2020 recruiting class and has waited his turn. If his play during spring is any indication of what is to come this fall, Burroughs will play an important role along Alabama’s defensive line.
The return of college football is quickly approaching, folks. After yet another national championship winning season, Nick Saban and company will be looking for a repeat performance in 2021.
Despite key losses, the Crimson Tide is well positioned to do just that.
The opening week matchup is against the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta, Ga. set for Sept. 4. And with it now being July 31, we are now only 35 days away from the start of the season!
For the third consecutive season, junior linebacker Shane Lee will rock the No. 35 for Alabama. After becoming an immediate starter as a true freshman in 2019, Lee was moved into a depth role with Dylan Moses returning from an injury in 2020.
With Moses now gone, some might assume Lee will be stepping back into that role, but with the addition of Tennessee transfer Henry To’o To’o and emergence of Jaylen Moody, that is unlikely to be the case.
Either way, the depth at inside linebacker is as good as we’ve seen it, maybe ever. Where Lee fits into that mix is unclear, but he’s certainly a solid situational player. We’ll wait and see what happens with him moving forward.
Other linebackers in the past have worn the No. 35 as well, including former five-star Nico Johnson. And for all those familiar with the Crimson Tide prior to the Saban era, another former linebacker, DeMeco Ryans, is the most notable of the group.
Alabama linebacker Shane Lee (35) takes down Arkansas running back Devwah Whaley (21) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
The return of college football is quickly approaching, folks. After yet another national championship winning season, Nick Saban and company will be looking for a repeat performance in 2021.
Despite key losses, the Crimson Tide is well positioned to do just that.
The opening week matchup is against the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta, Ga. set for Sept. 4. And with it now being July 30, we are now only 36 days away from the start of the season!
True freshman Ian Jackson is wearing the No. 36 for Alabama, as well as redshirt senior walk-on Bret Bolin. Jackson is a 6-foot-1, 225-pound off-ball linebacker from Prattville, Ala.
With the depth at the inside linebacker position, Jackson likely won’t see much — if any — action during his first season in Tuscaloosa, but his versatile skill set could be valuable down the road. Despite his limited size, he’s got some pass rush ability to go with some coverage chops.
Former walk-on wide receiver Mac Hereford wore the number until this past season, similar to former off-ball linebacker Markail Benton.
Nov 9, 2019; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (22) runs the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Markail Benton (36) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
The return of college football is quickly approaching, folks. After yet another national championship winning season, Nick Saban and company will be looking for a repeat performance in 2021.
Despite key losses, the Crimson Tide is well positioned to do just that.
The opening week matchup is against the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta, Ga. set for Sept. 4. And with it now being July 26, we are now only 40 days away from the start of the season!
No one is wearing the No. 40 at this time for Alabama. Most recently, it was worn by former linebacker/part-time fullback Joshua McMillon. He was a graduate student getting a rare sixth year of eligibility for the Crimson Tide.
We also saw former walk-on tight end Giles Amos wear the number for multiple seasons, with the most recent one coming back in 2019. The original No. 40 — at least during the Saban era — was former tight end/fullback Baron Huber.
He played for the Crimson Tide from 2006-09.
Alabama linebacker Joshua McMillon (40) during second half action in the Alabama A-Day spring football scrimmage game at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday April 13, 2019. Photo Credit: Mickey Welsh / Advertiser
The return of college football is quickly approaching, folks. After yet another national championship winning season, Nick Saban and company will be looking for a repeat performance in 2021.
Despite key losses, the Crimson Tide is well positioned to do just that.
The opening week matchup is against the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta, Ga. set for Sept. 4. And with it now being July 25, we are now only 41 days away from the start of the season!
Sophomore outside linebacker Chris Braswell will once again wear the No. 41 for Alabama. The former five-star talent didn’t make an immediate impact in Tuscaloosa, but many are expecting a sizable leap to at least a relied on contributor in Year 2.
At some point, Braswell should strive to become as impactful — or maybe even more impactful — than another former outside linebacker who wore the No. 41, Courtney Upshaw.
After a successful career in Tuscaloosa from 2009-12, the Eufaula, Ala. product became an early second-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 NFL draft. From there, Upshaw helped them become a Super Bowl winner.
Nov 26, 2011; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Courtney Upshaw (41) pursues Auburn Tigers quarterback Kiehl Frazier (10) at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tide defeated the Tigers 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
The return of college football is quickly approaching, folks. After yet another national championship winning season, Nick Saban and company will be looking for a repeat performance in 2021.
Despite key losses, the Crimson Tide is well positioned to do just that.
The opening week matchup is against the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta, Ga. set for Sept. 4. And with it now being July 24, we are now only 42 days away from the start of the season!
Two players are currently wearing the No. 42 for Alabama.
One is walk-on defensive back Sam Reed out of Mountain Brook. The other of course is senior linebacker Jaylen Moody, who is squarely in the competition to start next to Christian Harris.
Newly added Henry To’o To’o will be stiff competition, but we should see both players see significant action in 2021. Moody has been spectacular when filling in at the spot, and he had an excellent spring as well.
It’s a good problem to have if you’re Alabama.
Linebacker Jaylen Moody (42) scores a touchdown on an interception during second half action in the Alabama A-Day spring football scrimmage game at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday April 13, 2019. Bama24. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser
The return of college football is quickly approaching, folks. After yet another national championship winning season, Nick Saban and company will be looking for a repeat performance in 2021.
Despite key losses, the Crimson Tide is well positioned to do just that.
The opening week matchup is against the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta, Ga. set for Sept. 4. And with it now being July 22, we are now only 44 days away from the start of the season!
Two walk-on players are currently wearing the No. 44 for Alabama, one on offense and the other on defense. The first is linebacker Christian Johnson, a freshman out of Flowery Branch, Ga. The other is sophomore tight end Charlie Skehan out of Columbia, S.C.
Prior to those guys, former four-star outside linebacker Kevin Harris II wore it, but he entered the transfer portal and is now finishing his career at Georgia Tech.
Oddly enough, the most established player to wear the number is former defensive lineman/tight end/H-back Dakota Ball, who played for the Crimson Tide from 2012-16. Levi Wallace wore it briefly, but then he switched to the No. 39.
Ball actually began his career wearing the No. 94, but once he started playing some offense later on, he made the switch to No. 44. Others to wear it includes former tight end Kedrick James and former defensive lineman LaMichael Fanning.
TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 10: Tyler Ferguson #7 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers prepares to be sacked by Dakota Ball #44 and Jonathan Allen #93 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The return of college football is quickly approaching, folks. After yet another national championship winning season, Nick Saban and company will be looking for a repeat performance in 2021.
Despite key losses, the Crimson Tide is well positioned to do just that.
The opening week matchup is against the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta, Ga. set for Sept. 4. And with it now being July 21, we are now only 45 days away from the start of the season!
True freshman tight end Robbie Ouzts, a three-star prospect out of Rock Hill, S.C., is now wearing the No. 45 for Alabama.
With Jahleel Billingsley and Cameron Latu topping the depth chart, it’s unlikely that we see significant contributions from Ouzts in Year 1, but he’s an excellent development prospect at the tight end position.
The most notable player to ever wear the No. 45 during the Saban era is none other than former offensive Swiss Army knife Jalston Fowler. After coming to Tuscaloosa as a running back out of Vigor down in Mobile, Fowler played mostly fullback. But he also had the ability to take carries and even play some move tight end.
Fowler was at Alabama from 2010 to 2014.
TUSCALOOSA, AL – NOVEMBER 15: Jalston Fowler #45 of the Alabama Crimson Tide pulls in this reception against Zach Jackson #14 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 15, 2014 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The return of college football is quickly approaching, folks. After yet another national championship winning season, Nick Saban and company will be looking for a repeat performance in 2021.
Despite key losses, the Crimson Tide is well positioned to do just that.
The opening week matchup is against the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta, Ga. set for Sept. 4. And with it now being July 19, we are now only 47 days away from the start of the season!
Junior defensive lineman Byron Young is wearing the No. 47 for Alabama, and has for the last two seasons. The Laurel, Miss. native became a part of the rotation as true freshman, even getting five starts.
That success continued into 2020, as Young finished with with career-highs in tackles (26) and tackles for loss (5.5). In two seasons, he’s had 49 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, making him a valuable part of the Tide’s deep rotation along their defensive front.
Young isn’t the only one to wear the number during the Saban era though. We’ve also seen former outside linebacker Xzavier Dickson wear it as well. We also can’t forget the original No. 47 during the Saban era, Ezekiel Knight.
Dec 5, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Byron Young (47) celebrates after a sack against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
