Tag: Alabama Crimson Tide

Former Alabama transfer commits to SEC program, will play Crimson Tide in 2025

A former Alabama transfer will now play the Crimson Tide in 2025.

A player who originally began his collegiate career in Tuscaloosa, former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Shawn Murphy officially announced a commitment to the South Carolina Gamecocks on Monday afternoon.

Murphy previously spent the 2024 season in the ACC as a member of the Florida State Seminoles. With the Seminoles, Murphy had the best single-season of his collegiate career, amassing a career-high 13 tackles with two TFL and one fumble recovery.

Prior to Florida State, Murphy was a member of Alabama’s 2022 recruiting class, and saw action across two seasons in Tuscaloosa before transferring last offseason. During the 2022-23 seasons, Murphy had a combined five tackles and one PD.

Now at South Carolina, Murphy will also in fact face his former team now, as Alabama will be traveling to Columbia to face the Gamecocks during the 2025 season. That game will be played Saturday, Oct. 25 at a time that is at the moment to be determined.

Alabama transfer defensive lineman commits to ACC program

Another Alabama transfer is heading to the ACC.

Having entered the transfer portal earlier this month, Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Hunter Osborne officially announced his commitment to a different program Monday afternoon by committing to an ACC program, the Virginia Cavaliers.

Osborne is the latest Alabama transfer to take his talents to the ACC in 2025, joining others such as Miles McVay, Naquil Betrand, and Dylan Lonergan.

RELATED: Alabama football 2024-25 offseason transfer portal tracker

A former member of Alabama’s 2023 recruiting class, Osborne did not record any stats with the Crimson Tide during that season, but did so this year. Over four games, Osborne had three tackles and one PD for the Crimson Tide.

Prior to Alabama, Osborne was a four-star prospect in that recruiting class out of in-state Hewitt-Trussville High School in Alabama.

With the decision from Osborne, only one player from Alabama in the transfer portal has yet to make a decision in running back Justice Haynes.

Alabama transfer wide receiver commits to Big 12 program

The former Alabama wide receiver is heading to the Big 12.

A second Alabama Crimson Tide football transfer has now committed to the Kansas Jayhawks, as wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. announced his commitment to the program Monday morning.

Henderson joins former Alabama cornerback Jahlil Hurley in doing so, who previously announced his commitment to Kansas earlier this month.

A former top prospect in the 2022 recruiting class out of in-state Geneva County High School, Henderson has seen action with the Crimson Tide across each of the past three seasons, but it largely came as an impact player on special teams.

Over that span, Henderson hauled in five receptions for 96 yards, while also returning six kickoffs for 115 yards, as well as making nine tackles. In 2024, Henderson had four receptions for 82 yards, five kick returns for 107 yards, and four tackles.

With Henderson now committed, all four of Alabama’s wide receivers to enter the transfer portal so far have now made an official 2025 playing decision.

Alabama’s AP Poll ranking revealed after wins vs. North Dakota, Kent State

Alabama is on the rise once again in the latest AP Poll.

Coming out of a difficult non-conference span of games, this past week was likely a step down in competition for the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team.

Beginning on Wednesday night, the Crimson Tide did what most programs do not often do, traveling across the country mid-week for a true road game against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Alabama would however win that contest in a closer game than most expected, 97-90, and then returned home Sunday for a showdown with the Kent State Golden Flashes in which they were victorious, 81-54.

Because of these results, Alabama now sits at 10-2 overall for the 2024-25 season with the Crimson Tide’s non-conference schedule winding down, and the start of SEC play looming in early-January.

However, just how much did these results affect Alabama’s AP Poll Top 25 ranking, if at all?

After carrying a ranking of No. 6 last week, Alabama rose one spot up to No. 5 in the latest AP Poll released Monday afternoon. The Crimson Tide were also the third highest-ranked SEC team, trailing only No. 1 Tennessee and No. 2 Auburn.

Riding a four-game winning streak, the Crimson Tide will officially be back in action this upcoming Sunday, Dec. 29 at home against South Dakota State, with tipoff set for 3 p.m. ET on either SEC Network+ or ESPN+.

Oklahoma Sooners, not the committee, to blame for 2024 College Football Playoff

Oklahoma Sooners win over Alabama and Kentucky’s win over Ole Miss the issue, not the College Football Playoff committee.

The first weekend of the 12-team College Football Playoff should have been a celebration of more meaningful football in December. Instead, it was filled with teeth gnashing.

Indiana and SMU lost playoff games to Notre Dame and Penn State in pretty decisive fashion. The resulting narrative was that the College Football Playoff committee got it wrong when they omitted SEC darling Alabama, Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss, and the hottest team in the country, the South Carolina Gamecocks.

SMU and Indiana didn’t belong, as “SEC fans” said. They were frauds, said Paul Finebaum. But the committee wasn’t the problem; Oklahoma and Kentucky were. 

There’s a saying in mixed martial arts: “Don’t leave it in the hands of the judges.”

Alabama, Ole Miss, and South Carolina let their resumes get to the scorecards. Though they may have had some good moments in 2024, their losses were too much to overcome.

Alabama, Ole Miss, and South Carolina each had three losses, and they expected the committee to overlook their shortcomings because they play in the SEC. In Alabama, they expected the committee to overlook the team’s 21-point loss to an Oklahoma team that finished 6-6. Kiffin and Ole Miss wanted the CFP to ignore the Rebels’ loss at home to a Kentucky team that won just one SEC game.

Despite their strong end to the season, South Carolina couldn’t be put in the playoff if the committee was going to leave out Alabama and Ole Miss due to head-to-head losses to the Crimson Tide and the Rebels.

Alabama and Ole Miss each lost a pair of games to unranked opponents. Win just one more game, and it’s not even a question. If Alabama beats Oklahoma or Vanderbilt, they’d be in the playoff. If Ole Miss beats Kentucky or Florida, they’d be in the playoff.

But they didn’t, so they really only have themselves to blame.

Oklahoma’s rushing attack and defensive performance kept Alabama out of the College Football Playoff. The Sooners’ dominating win over the Crimson Tide was too much for the committee to overlook.

So, while SEC fans, Lane Kiffin, Paul Finebaum, and ESPN take to their platforms to criticize the College Football Playoff committee, they should instead take aim at Alabama and Ole Miss for losing to teams they shouldn’t have.

The lesson here is to win your games—especially those against unranked opponents.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Where Alabama ranks in new USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll after beating North Dakota, Kent State

Here’s where Alabama ranks in the new Coaches Poll after their fourth straight win came Sunday against Kent State.

The Alabama Crimson Tide have won four straight games entering Christmas Week after defeating North Dakota and Kent State in nonconference play last week.

Those two wins has Alabama just outside the top five of this week’s USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, released Monday. The Crimson Tide (10-2 overall) moved up one spot to No. 6.

Nate Oats’ team ranks one spot below the unbeaten Florida Gators (12-0) and one spot ahead of the Kansas Jayhawks (9-2). The Tennessee Vols (11-0) held on to the top spot at No. 1, with Auburn (11-1) staying at No. 2 and Iowa State (10-1) at No. 3. Duke (10-2) moved up one spot to No. 4 with Florida rounding out the top five.

Alabama returns to action Sunday when they host South Dakota State (9-5) from the Summit League at Coleman Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ESPN+.

For the second straight week, the SEC had nine teams ranked in the Top 25. The Kentucky Wildcats (10-2) were No. 10, followed by the Oklahoma Sooners (12-0) at No. 11. Texas A&M (10-2) was ranked No. 13, Ole Miss (11-1) was No. 16, and Mississippi State (11-1) rose four spots to No. 19.

Alabama will welcome Oklahoma to Coleman Coliseum for the start of conference play on Jan. 4. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. CT. For now, the game is slated to be televised on SEC Network.

Full USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll

Rank Team Record Points
1 Tennessee 11-0 764 (20)
2 Auburn 11-1 746 (11)
3 Iowa State 10-1 706
4 Duke 10-2 659
5 Florida 12-0 649
6 Alabama 10-2 620
7 Kansas 9-2 531
8 Marquette 11-2 529
9 Oregon 11-1 484
10 Kentucky 10-2 476
11 Oklahoma 12-0 412
12 Houston 8-3 406
13 Texas A&M 10-2 405
14 UConn 10-3 395
15 Gonzaga 9-3 327
16 Ole Miss 11-1 261
17 Cincinnati 10-1 252
18 Michigan State 10-2 233
19 Mississippi State 11-1 196
20 San Diego State 8-2 148
21 UCLA 10-2 128
22 Illinois 8-3 86
23 Baylor 7-3 83
24 St. John’s 10-2 82
25 Purdue 8-4 73

Schools Dropped Out

No. 21 Michigan; No. 22 Memphis; No. 24 Dayton;

Others Receiving Votes

Maryland 65; Michigan 52; Drake 51; Arkansas 51; Georgia 42; Clemson 40; Dayton 28; Memphis 25; Pittsburgh 22; Utah State 14; Texas Tech 9; Wisconsin 7; North Carolina 6; Missouri 6; West Virginia 5; Penn State 1;

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Alabama news and notes, plus opinions. 

Where does Alabama’s transfer portal class currently rank?

Alabama has added five players through the transfer portal so far.

While there is still a game to be played for the Alabama Crimson Tide on Dec. 31 against the Michigan Wolverines in the ReliaQuest Bowl, a majority of the talk surrounding the program the past couple of weeks has however been the transfer portal.

Having opened earlier this month, Alabama saw numerous players announce their intentions to enter the portal, with many going on to transfer to different teams for the 2025 season.

However, two of those names have since withdrawn from the portal in order to return to Tuscaloosa next season, while Alabama has also recently heated up by landing multiple commits after not adding many during the start of the month.

As of Sunday, Dec. 22, Alabama has added a total of five players through the transfer portal, which are as follows: Florida Gators defensive lineman Kelby Collins, Utah Utes cornerback Cameron Calhoun, Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Kam Dewberry, Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Isaiah Horton, and Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green.

According to 247Sports Team Rankings, that group ranks No. 19 nationally in college football, but the Crimson Tide do hold the fewest commits of any team within the Top 25. Alabama’s average player ranking of a 90.00 is also the second-highest of any team in the Top 25 currently, trailing only the No. 8 ranked Oregon Ducks at a 90.33 with six total commitments.

In terms of the SEC, Alabama’s transfer portal class currently ranks No. 10, but the Crimson Tide have the highest average player ranking of any team, and have fewer commits than every team ahead of them.

While it is still likely that Alabama continues to add going forward, it’s clear already that the Crimson Tide have one of the most talented transfer portal classes in college football, even with only five commitments.

The only question left is, just who will Kalen DeBoer and Co. add to this group in the coming days and weeks?

PHOTOS: Alabama basketball routs Kent State at Coleman Coliseum

Our best photos from Alabama’s 81-54 win over Kent State Sunday at Coleman Coliseum.

The sixth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide didn’t want another close call like the one they had earlier in the week at North Dakota.

No worries there. Alabama’s defense suffocated Kent State Sunday at Coleman Coliseum for an 81-54 victory.

The Crimson Tide (10-2 overall) held the Golden Flashes (8-3) to 28 percent shooting, including a 2-of-27 showing from three-point range. Mark Sears had 16 points to lead Alabama, which got 13 off the bench from Auburn transfer Aden Holloway.

The Crimson Tide led 39-24 at halftime and would go up by as many as 32 in the second half to shut the door on a Kent State team that owns the best overall record in the MAC standings.

RELATED: Alabama overcomes slow start, uses defense to suffocate Kent State

Alabama heads into its Christmas break with four straight wins and will return to Coleman Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 29 when they welcome the South Dakota State Jackrabbits to Tuscaloosa for a 2 p.m. CT scheduled tipoff. The game can be seen on ESPN+.

Here are some of the best photos from Alabama’s rout of the Kent State Golden Flashes.

Instant Recap: Alabama overcomes slow start, uses defense to suffocate Kent State

Alabama started slow but had no trouble cruising to a win over Kent State. Here’s how it happened.

The Alabama Crimson Tide overcame another cold shooting start to defeat Kent State, 81-54, Sunday at Coleman Coliseum to head into the Christmas break with their fourth straight win.

Alabama (10-2 overall) never trailed in the game, but the sixth-ranked Crimson Tide’s slow start included three turnovers and an 0-for-7 mark from downtown in the game’s first four minutes. Alabama would miss its first eight shots and go over four minutes without a field goal.

Good thing Kent State (8-3) was just as cold. Alabama played suffocating defense, holding the Golden Flashes to just 2-for-21 shooting in the game’s first 11 minutes. The Crimson Tide would lead by as many as 18 in the half after Mark Sears made a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 30-12 lead.

Alabama led 39-24 at halftime and was +19 off the glass and +7 on turnovers. The Tide’s defense held Kent State to just 23 percent shooting from the field: 9-of-39, including 1-of-15 from downtown. By contrast, Alabama made 39 percent of its first-half shots but were only 2-of-17 from three-point range.

In the second half, Alabama stretched its lead to 19 after Clifford Omoruyi’s jumper put the Crimson Tide ahead 52-33 with 10:34 to play. Two free throws from Sears made it 54-33 as Alabama went up by 20 points for the first time in the game.

With Kent State in a 1-for-13 shooting slump, Houston Mallette’s jumper put Alabama up 60-35 heading into the under-8 timeout. Alabama led by 29 after a pair of 3-pointers from Aden Holloway and one from Labaron Philon with 4:52 to play.

The Tide would go on to lead by as many as 32 after Holloway made a long-range 3-pointer with just over a minute left.

Sears finished with 16 points to lead Alabama. Holloway added 13 points off the bench as the Crimson Tide shot 45 percent from the field and 9-of-35 from downtown.

Alabama’s defense held Kent State to 28 percent from the field and just 2-of-27 from three-point range. The 54 points scored by the Golden Flashes were tied for the fewest allowed by Alabama all season. Nate Oats’ team out-rebounded Kent State, 60-40, and won the turnover battle, 19-11.

Alabama basketball 2024-25 schedule

Alabama will face South Dakota State (9-5) to close out nonconference play next Sunday at Coleman Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on ESPN+.

Alabama basketball schedule: Are the Crimson Tide playing today? 

Is Alabama playing today? Here’s a look at the schedule and the games to come. 

An arena where the team has not lost up to this point in the 2024-25 season, the Alabama Crimson Tide will be back in action inside Coleman Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.

The Crimson Tide in this game will also be matched up with an unfamiliar foe as well, as Alabama is set to welcome the Kent State Golden Flashes to town for what is only the second-ever meeting between the two in men’s basketball.

Alabama vs. Kent State will take place Sunday, Dec. 22, with tipoff set on 1 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

Alabama Crimson Tide basketball 2024-25 schedule

  • Nov. 4: vs. UNC Asheville (W, 110-54)
  • Nov. 8: vs. Arkansas State (W, 88-79)
  • Nov. 11: vs. McNeese State (W, 72-64)
  • Nov. 15: at Purdue (L, 87-78)
  • Nov. 20: vs. Illinois (W, 100-87) at C.M. Newton Classic in Birmingham, Alabama
  • Nov. 26-30: vs. Houston (W, 85-80), Rutgers (W, 95-90), Oregon (L, 83-81) at Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Dec. 4: at North Carolina (W, 90-79) in ACC/SEC Challenge
  • Dec. 14: vs. Creighton (W, 83-75)
  • Dec. 18: at North Dakota (W, 97-90)
  • Dec. 22: vs. Kent State
  • Dec. 29: vs. South Dakota State
  • Jan. 4: vs. Oklahoma
  • Jan. 8: at South Carolina
  • Jan. 11: at Texas A&M
  • Jan. 14: vs. Ole Miss
  • Jan. 18: at Kentucky
  • Jan. 21: vs. Vanderbilt
  • Jan. 25: vs. LSU
  • Jan. 29: at Mississippi State
  • Feb. 1: vs. Georgia
  • Feb. 8: at Arkansas
  • Feb. 11: at Texas
  • Feb. 15: vs. Auburn
  • Feb. 19: at Missouri
  • Feb. 22: vs. Kentucky
  • Feb. 25: vs. Mississippi State
  • March 1: at Tennessee
  • March 5: vs. Florida
  • March 8: at Auburn

Record: 9-2 overall