Tag: Alabama in NFL

Looking at projections for every Alabama player in the 2021 NFL Draft

The 2021 NFL Draft is quickly approaching. The draft is set to start on April 29 and run through the beginning of May, so it won’t be long until we find out where several former Alabama stars end up in the NFL. Many are wondering where a lot of the …

The 2021 NFL Draft is quickly approaching. The draft is set to start on April 29 and run through the beginning of May, so it won’t be long until we find out where several former Alabama stars end up in the NFL.

Many are wondering where a lot of the Crimson Tide players are projected to go. Individual teams can be difficult to predict, but the round range is something that tends to be accurate.

Granted, we’ve seen players fall, especially guys like Mack Wilson, Deionte Thompson and Isaiah Buggs, but the projections are normally pretty accurate.

So without further ado, here are the ranges for all 13 of Alabama’s draft-eligible guys. Enjoy!

Alabama football player 2021 NFL Draft declaration tracker

The season has come and gone for the Alabama Crimson Tide. That means the next step is the 2021 NFL Draft and determining which players choose to leave early. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season didn’t count towards a player’s eligibility. …

The season has come and gone for the Alabama Crimson Tide. That means the next step is the 2021 NFL Draft and determining which players choose to leave early.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season didn’t count towards a player’s eligibility. That means that each player has the option to come back for another season, which adds a new wrinkle to play declarations and returnees.

In order to give fans an easy way to keep up with the players who are choosing to leave — and keep up with the ones who are choosing to return — we decided to create a NFL draft declaration tracker.

It will be updates as we learn more, but check out the information we have so far. Enjoy!

Derrick Henry nominated for FedEx Ground Player of the Week

Former Alabama running back Derrick Henry has been nominated for NFL’s FedEx Ground Player of the Week. You can go vote now!

(This story was originally published on Titans Wire.)

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry had his best game of the 2020 season thus far in the Week 3 win over the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Henry carried the ball 26 times for a season-high 119 yards and two scores, and he added two receptions for 11 yards. His 4.6 yards per carry was also the best mark he has posted through three games.

For his effort, Henry has been nominated as the FedEx Ground Player of the Week, along with Minnesota Vikings running back, Dalvin Cook, and Cleveland Browns rusher, Nick Chubb.

If you’d like to help Henry win the honor, click the tweet below to cast your vote.

Henry leads the NFL in rushing yards and attempts, picking up where he left off last season when he led the league in both categories and was tied for rushing touchdowns.

The Alabama product will look to continue his impressive start to 2020 when the Titans host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Nissan Stadium in a matchup between two unbeatens.

Stay tuned for more NFL updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!
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Will Jalen Hurts start before Tua Tagovailoa?

Eagles starting QB Carson Wentz is dealing with an injury, which might open the door for Jalen Hurts to start before Tua Tagovailoa.

Jalen Hurts was drafted 48 spots after Tua Tagovailoa in the 2020 NFL Draft, but now that both players are participating in their respective quarterback battles camp, that draft position does not mean as much.

Don’t get me wrong, Tagovailoa looks great from a physical standpoint after suffering the season-ending hip injury against Mississippi State in November of 2019. But Ryan Fitzpatrick is still the favorite to be the starter for the Miami Dolphins in 2020.

The same can be said for the starting quarterback in Philadelphia. Former No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz is still considered the franchise signal-caller for the Eagles. So which player between Hurts and Tagovailoa gets a start first in the NFL could come down to something out of their control — injuries.

Granted, if an injury doesn’t happen to Fitzpatrick or Wentz, then the expectation is that Tagovailoa will end up earning the starting job before Hurts. That especially holds true considering the former Heisman Trophy runner up was drafted to be his team’s franchise guy sooner rather than later, while Hurts was drafted to be a top-notch, valuable backup.

But as of right now, Wentz has been dealing with what is being described as a “soft tissue” injury:

And of course, Hurts has taken full advantage of his added opportunities with the first-team offense, including throwing what would have been a 99-yard touchdown to fellow rookie Manasseh Bailey:

In fact, Hurts has been taking full advantage of his opportunities all throughout camp, and it’s become increasingly clear that he will be the Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback behind Wentz and ahead of Nate Sudfeld this season.

If Wentz is forced to miss more games this season after missing several throughout his career, then Hurts looks poised to step in and get a start under his belt — even before Tagovailoa.

That isn’t a knock on the Hawaii native either. It just means that the Crimson Tide could actually see two of its former quarterbacks slinging touchdowns passes on Sunday this season.

Stay tuned for more updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!

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Report: Dont’a Hightower will opt out of the 2020 season

Former Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower has chosen to opt of out the 2020 season due to COVID-19, according to a report.

First, it was former Alabama offensive guard Chance Warmack, who was with the Seattle Seahawks. Now, it’s former linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who has been a staple on the New England Patriots defense for quite some time.

Adam Schefter with ESPN first reported the news via his Twitter account on Tuesday morning:

It’s yet another big blow to the Patriots, as several players have chosen to opt out this season.

The Patriots have been especially hit hard at linebacker, however. Earlier this offseason, Jamie Collins (Detroit Lions) and Kyle Van Noy (Miami Dolphins) both chose to head in a different direction, which means New England will be without its entire linebacker corp from the 2019 season.

And that doesn’t even include former MVP Tom Brady leaving for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hightower is one of the most well-respected players in the New England locker room. He has been a captain for the majority of his career, and he’s been an outstanding player representing the organization — both on and off the field.

Last season, the 6-foot-3, 260-pound linebacker had 60 total tackles, 5.5 sacks and four pass deflections.

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WATCH: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix encounters bears while riding scooter

Former Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix went from being a Bear to encountering bears.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix’s time as a Bear have come and gone. After spending a season in Chicago playing for the Bears, the former Alabama safety is now in Dallas with Cowboys after signing a one-year deal earlier in the offseason.

And while he is no longer a bear himself, he did encounter a couple of real life bears on Monday night, and the scary (but hilarious) encounter was caught on a security camera.

Clinton-Dix himself took to Instagram to share the shocking experience:

The caption Clinton-Dix put with the video was light-hearted and funny while also highlighting his ability to react quickly:

I play D # gotta be ready to go. A lil high on my flip turn but the drive was there. I ain’t know how many was over there. 🤣 #Haha #Jk #safetyfirst #Imgood #Bear #Dblock100 #God100

At the end of the day, we’re glad Clinton-Dix was able to react quickly and avoid any sort harm. But we are also glad to know Razor scooters are alive and doing well.

Stay tuned for more updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!

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Alabama football: Current Tide players in the NFL

The NFL is littered with former Alabama Crimson Tide football players. So, who has the most and how is it divided amongst the divisions?

With the 2020 season quickly approaching, we decided to give Alabama fans a collective list of current Crimson Tide players in the NFL, organized by current teams and divisons.

The two teams with the most former Alabama standouts were the Washington Redskins (9) and the Baltimore Ravens (6). The Dallas Cowboys checked in at No. 3 with 4 former players, including Amari Cooper, Trevon Diggs, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Saivion Smith.

Check out the rest below.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals (2)

Kenyan Drake
Dec 22, 2019; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Kenyan Drake, Deionte Thompson

Los Angeles Rams (2)

Sep 8, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (91) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Terrell Lewis, A’Shawn Robinson

San Francisco 49ers (1)

Jared Mayden
Jan 23, 2020; Mobile, Alabama, USA; South safety Jared Mayden of Alabama (21) works through a drill during Senior Bowl practice at University of South Alabama s Jaguar Football Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Mayden

Seattle Seahawks (2)

Jarran Reed
Jan 5, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed reacts late in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Jarran Reed, Chance Warmack

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Alabama will have 6 former players participating in virtual NFL draft

Alabama will see six of its former players participate in the NFL’s first ever virtual draft, which will start on Thursday, Apr. 23.

The 2020 NFL Draft is expected get to underway on Thursday, Apr. 23. But unlike most years, it will be held remote and completely virtual as a result of the coronavirus.

That doesn’t mean Alabama won’t have players in “virtual attendance” however, as it was announced this week that 58 total players, including six former members of the Crimson Tide, will take part in the activities.

Those six players include:

  • Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback
  • Jerry Jeudy, Wide Receiver
  • Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver
  • Jedrick Wills Jr., Offensive Line
  • Terrell Lewis, Linebacker
  • Xavier McKinney, Safety

Other former Alabama standouts who will not be participating include linebacker Anfernee Jennings, defensive lineman Raekwon Davis, and defensive backs Trevon Diggs, Shyheim Carter and Jared Mayden.

In addition to those six players, former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, who played for Oklahoma this past season as a graduate transfer, will also be participating.

For the entire list of the 58 players participating, check out the NFL.com article announcing them or check them out below:

  • A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
  • A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
  • Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia
  • Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
  • Austin Jackson, OT, USC
  • Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
  • C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
  • CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
  • Cesar Ruiz, OG, Michigan
  • Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
  • Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
  • Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
  • D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
  • Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
  • Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
  • Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
  • Grant Delpit, S, LSU
  • Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
  • Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
  • J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
  • Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
  • Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
  • Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
  • Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
  • Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
  • Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
  • Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
  • Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
  • Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
  • Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
  • Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
  • Jordan Love, QB, Utah St.
  • Josh Jones, OT, Houston
  • Josh Uche, LB, Michigan
  • Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
  • Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
  • Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
  • Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M
  • K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
  • Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
  • Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
  • Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
  • Lloyd Cushenberry, OG, LSU
  • Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
  • Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
  • Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
  • Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
  • Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
  • Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
  • Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
  • Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
  • Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
  • Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
  • Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
  • Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
  • Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

Stay tuned for more updates on this story from Roll Tide Wire!