Tag: Camar Wheaton

Slade Bolden training at RB per Nick Saban

Wide receiver Slade Bolden is now training at running back according to coach Nick Saban!

The question has been in the back of the minds of the Alabama faithful ever since the news that Roydell Williams would be out for the season. Who will be the next emergency option at running back?

Thursday night on his weekly radio show “Hey Coach”, Nick Saban finally addressed the issue. Wide receiver Slade Bolden has been training at running back according to coach Saban.

The staff had already moved linebacker Demouy Kennedy and wide receiver, Christian Leary, to running back after the injuries to Jase McClellan and Camar Wheaton.

Now Slade Bolden has made the move and that is interesting for a couple of different reasons. The first is that Bolden is the starter in the slot for the Tide. Could we see a young wide receiver have a more prominent role at that position now? The second is that Bolden is probably more naturally gifted to run between the tackles than to create in the open space.

At any rate, the staff has had to get creative with all of the injuries at the running back position. Fortunately, Brian Robinson Jr. and Trey Sanders remain healthy and will likely be the two main backs in the rotation the remainder of the season.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

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.

What could impede Alabama’s postseason chances?

Alabama is on a familiar path, but what could trip them up?

Alabama is on a trajectory that many Crimson Tide fans have seen before, sitting at 5-0 with a very favorable schedule through the remainder of the regular season.

Following a commanding win over Ole Miss, one might think that the Crimson Tide is simply unstoppable. I’m hesitant to say that Alabama fans should remain cautiously-optimistic.

We’ve seen before that things can go awry when we least expect it. Even though the Crimson Tide hasn’t trailed in a game since a 2020 matchup against then-No. 3 Georgia, which constitutes a 14-game streak that hasn’t been matched since 1950, there are still things that can go wrong.

This Alabama squad has improved tremendously since the beginning of the season, but with unexpected injuries and other setbacks presenting themselves, anything is possible. So, what can actually hinder the Crimson Tide’s SEC title hopes and College Football Playoff aspirations this season?

Injuries

With the season in full-swing, the intensity increases. With that comes extensive strain on the body, making injuries more likely as the season moves along.

Generally, a good strength and conditioning program would be a great help in making sure bodies are conditioned as needed. However, in a sport like football, we all know that injuries are just a common part of the game we love.

With the news of injuries to RBs Jase McClellan and Camar Wheaton comes issues with depth. Alabama now has just three healthy scholarship players at the position, and this could prove to be a huge issue if another goes down.

The Crimson Tide are not only thin at the RB position, Wednesday brought about news of a hand injury to LB Drew Sanders, who was already playing backup to the injured Chris Harris.

As of now, it appears that true-freshman Dallas Turner will get valuable snaps at SAM against SEC West foe Texas A&M, but perhaps sooner than Saban wanted or anticipated.

Injuries will play a key role for the remainder of the season, and it’s a development that should continue to be monitored closely.

Not finishing games

While the Tide have outscored opponents 73-3 in first quarters this season, it has only managed a differential of 79-72 in second halves.

“The key around here is four quarters, and that’s something that we haven’t done,” defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe said on Monday. “We haven’t played a complete 60 minutes, and we know around here that’s how you’re judged about playing each and every week.”

Not finishing a complete game could turn out to be catastrophic if the Tide get caught in a close game late.

Lack of an explosive offense

Alabama has only had seven passes go for beyond 30 yards on the season. Instead of chunk-plays that many Crimson Tide fans have become accustomed to as of late, it’s gained its yardage with short, methodical plays.

While there hasn’t been a situational need to score quickly yet this season, one could manifest as we progress through the season. Without being too pessimistic, I admittedly wonder if the Tide would be able to accomplish such a feat.

Nick Saban has made clear in the past that complacency is a killer. Consistency is very important and the small details are just as important as the large ones. None of the aforementioned issues are things that Saban has never dealt with before, so it must be said that trusting in the process that he has instilled will move mountains.

Catch the game between Alabama and Texas A&M on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. CT on CBS.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for continued coverage of the Alabama Crimson Tide!

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 Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29

 

Alabama football position preview: Running backs

Alabama’s depth at running back could prove to be a vital piece of another run at a championship.

One of the deepest position groups on the team this season is the running back group. While there isn’t a guy who has superstar status like Najee Harris had last season, there is still plenty of talent and depth.

Let’s take a look!

Status of current, future running back room at Texas after missing on L.J. Johnson

Texas whiffed on a major prospect in the 2021 class in RB L.J. Johnson. Here is the current and future status of the RB room.

Texas whiffed on a major prospect from the 2021 recruiting class, four-star running back L.J. Johnson. He chose to sign with Texas’ in-state rival Texas A&M.

Where does the running back room go from here?

As the situation stands, there will be at least three scholarship players returning. Recruits from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 classes are still up for grabs. With Texas retaining Stan Drayton as its running back’s coach, it will have an experienced and respected recruiter.

Here is the status of the current running back room, plus a look at the possible recruits Texas could go after.

Alabama recruiting: Crimson Tide signs ridiculously good 2021 offensive class

The Alabama Crimson Tide has landed one of the all-time best offensive hauls with its 2021 recruiting class.

Alabama has the No. 1 recruiting class in the country for 2021. That isn’t considered major news at this point, but we need to be talking more about this offensive haul of talent for the Crimson Tide.

On Friday, Alabama landed another big-time signee in massive four-star offensive guard Jaeden Roberts. That gave Nick Saban and company 26 total signees or commitments, and 12 of those came on offense.

Guys, just look at the collection of talent below. The Tide could field an entire unit with top-notch high school talent, which is insane. This is one of the most impressive groups I have ever seen, and it will be a lot of fun to watch and see how it develops over the next couple of years.

It should be noted that Wheaton is only a commitment and won’t sign until February. The other 11 players, however, are all locked in and ready to come in and contribute in 2021. Check this out!

BREAKING: 5-star RB Camar Wheaton picks Alabama

Five-star running back Camar Wheaton committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide over the Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday.

Alabama’s 2021 recruiting class got a lot stronger on Wednesday. The group was already rated as the No. 1 class, according to 247Sports, but the Crimson Tide aren’t done.

After a lot of back-and-forth on predictions, five-star running back Camar Wheaton picked Alabama over the Oklahoma Sooners. His decision was announced by Andrew Bone via Bama Insider.

This is also the second consecutive season that the Tide has snagged a top running back recruit over Oklahoma. Last year, it was former No. 6 running back Jase McClellan.

Wheaton is a special talent. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, he’s listed as a five-star, the No. 2 running back and the No. 4 player from the state of Texas.

With the addition of Wheaton, this is now Alabama’s offensive commitments for the 2021 recruiting class.

  • Jalen Milroe (No. 4 DT-QB)
  • Camar Wheaton (No. 2 RB)
  • Jacorey Brooks (No. 2 WR)
  • JoJo Earle (No. 5 WR)
  • Agiye Hall (No. 7 WR)
  • Christian Leary (No. 9 WR)
  • JC Latham (No. 1 OT)
  • Tommy Brockermeyer (No. 2 OT)
  • Terrence Ferguson (No. 2 OG)
  • James Brockermeyer (No. 1 OC)
  • Robbie Ouzts (No. 31 TE)

This is an incredible group that is going to make a lot of noise at the University of Alabama. And there is still the possibility that a player like Jaeden Roberts (four-star, No. 14 OG) could join them.

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

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.

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Sooner Summit could make big impact on Oklahoma recruiting

Sooner Summit could make big impact on Oklahoma recruiting

The Sooners Summit was traversed.

Last weekend, a group of Oklahoma football commits and targets took a visit to Norman to check out the campus.

Visitors included targets offensive linemen Tristan Leigh and Savion Byrd, running back Camar Wheaton and wide receiver Jalil Farooq.  The event was organized and headlined by top-ranked QB and Oklahoma commit Caleb Williams.

Rivals recruiting directors Mike Farrell and Adam Gorney think the Sooner Summit will have big implications on Oklahoma’s 2021 class.

“It was a major recruiting move orchestrated by Williams and it should pay off in a big way. First, because Oklahoma has a lot to offer and lots of top recruits are highly interested anyway and also because this was a one-of-a-kind special event with lots of top kids on campus.” Gorney said.

“And it will work,” Farrell wrote. “This is a big deal and, if Leigh, Farooq, Wheaton and others end up at Oklahoma, this could be a huge reason. This Summit might be a difference maker for the Sooners.”

Oklahoma currently hold the No. 14 class in the nation, just one spot behind Texas for the top-ranked class in the Big 12.

The Sooners are set to kick off their season with a matchup versus Missouri State on Sept. 12.

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August recruiting update: Oklahoma aiming for top running backs in 2021

Oklahoma is aiming for the top running backs in 2021. Here is where the Sooners’ big board is at for running backs.

Oklahoma is swinging for the fences on 2021 running backs.

The Sooners look like they’re refusing to settle for less than a Top 3 back in the class, going hard after the elite RBs in the class.

With Oklahoma’s history of prolific running backs, nearly any target should give the Sooners a look.

Head coach Lincoln Riley has also proven that multiple backs can share the load, and could make a push for more than one star recruit.

Here are some of the top running back targets for Oklahoma’s 2021 class:

CAMAR WHEATON—FIVE-STAR-NO. 1 RB

Oklahoma’s most obvious target at RB, Camar Wheaton fits Lincoln Riley’s mold perfectly. At 5-foot-11, 190 lbs, Wheaton is the prototypical running back, with a perfect mix of size and athleticism. The top-ranked RB in 2021 has shown significant interest in OU, and joined Caleb William’s Sooner Summit campaign as a late addition.

DONOVAN EDWARDS—FIVE-STAR-NO. 2 RB

The second-ranked RB in the 2021 class, Donovan Edwards is a major target for Oklahoma. While the home run-hitting running back seemed to be leaning heavily towards Michigan, COVID-19 cancellations have already affected several recruits decisions. The Sooners will have to contend with nearly every major school for Edwards talents, but Oklahoma is never counted out of a running back race.

TREVEYON HENDERSON—FOUR-STAR-NO. 3 RB

TreVeyon Henderson will be a major factor wherever he lands. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound product is currently committed to Ohio State, but with the Big Ten cancelling football, the Buckeyes have already suffered recruiting woes in the form of recommitments. Should Henderson decide to look elsewhere, Lincoln Riley and the Sooners would surely get a look. Henderson has legitimate speed, and could become a factor earlier in his career. 

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Oklahoma makes top 3 for five-star 2021 RB

2021 Five-star RB Camar Wheaton visited Norman this past weekend for the Sooner Summit. Now, three schools remain: Oklahoma, Alabama, LSU.

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2021 Five-star RB Camar Wheaton took a visit to Norman this past weekend for the Sooner Summit. Now, just a few days later, he’s narrowed his list to three schools: Oklahoma, Alabama and LSU.

The Garland, TX. native is the No. 2 RB in his class and No. 2 player out of Texas per 247Sports. He is ranked the No. 18 prospect in the country and measures in at 5-foot-11 inches and 190 lbs,

It should come as no surprise that Riley and his staff are already reaping the benefits of Sooner Summit. Wheaton made his announcement less than two days after departing Norman.

OU commit and five-star QB Caleb Williams discussed the experience of organizing and participating in the summit in his most recent blog post.

It’s safe to assume that Williams, a close friend of Wheaton, is working hard to recruit the talented RB during this recruiting dead period.

Texas Football Recruiting: 2021 No. 2 running back names final three, Horns out

The Longhorns are continuing their pursuit of Garland’s Camar Wheaton. The five-star back announced his final three with Texas missing out.

The hits just keep coming for the 2021 Texas recruiting class. After losing Jalen Milroe to Alabama, another target for the Longhorns has decided against the Longhorns. 2021 five-star running back Camar Wheaton named his final three teams with Texas not being among them.

Most recently are indications based on the Crystal Ball projections have Wheaton to Oklahoma at 100 percent. He even took part of the “Sooner Summit” over the weekend with other top 2021 recruits who are looking to join OU. It appears as though the events of the weekend did not bode well for Texas.

In the 2020 recruiting cycle they landed the nation’s top back in Bijan Robinson. In 2021, they won’t be adding another five-star runner. He announced his final choices on Twitter late Monday night.

It was believed to be a two dog race with Texas and Oklahoma going to battle over the running back from Garland. Now Texas and running backs coach Stan Drayton much shift their focus to L.J. Johnson of Cypress, Texas. Johnson is the fourth-ranked back in the country.

The Longhorns have some momentum with Johnson, who was expected to commit to Texas A&M. Now the Aggies have to battle it out with their old rivals to earn his commitment. Latest crystal ball projections give Texas a slight edge.

Current running back Bijan Robinson has been making the push or Johnson. That would give Texas nice one-two punch at running back. That would help relieve some of the pressure for whoever wins the quarterback job in 2021.