Tag: Crimson Tide

Red-hot Alabama nabs another 4-star recruit, rises to No. 5 nationally

Over the weekend, they got a commitment from Carrollton (Ga.) four-star tight end Caleb Odom.

Don’t look now, but Alabama is back up among the elite recruiting programs for the class of 2024. After a slow start to the recruiting cycle, the Crimson Tide has risen fast in the national recruiting rankings over the last couple of weeks. Now they’re in the top-five teams in the nation.

Over the weekend, they got a commitment from another blue-chip recruit. This time it was Carrollton (Ga.) four-star tight end Caleb Odom.

Odom (6-foot-5, 215 pounds) had offers from 30 other programs, including Auburn, Florida, Miami and Texas A&M. Asked why he picked Alabama, Odom told Hayes Fawcett at On3 their history was a big factor.

“Honestly it was a place I saw myself being able to fit in at and being able to be developed easily. I built a great relationship with every coach on the staff, especially coach Cox. And the history of Bama is a big factor, the team is a dynasty and has a history of winning.”

Going by the 247Sports composite rankings, Odom is No. 4 among tight ends, No. 11 in the state of Georgia and No. 64 nationally in the class of 2024.

That makes 14 hard commits for Alabama’s class of 2024, which has risen to No. 5 in the nation.

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This cycle is far from over, though and Nick Saban’s squad is beginning to catch up with the usual contenders.

Alabama won last year’s recruiting cycle, putting together the highest-ranked group of prospects in the nation. However, this year the Tide has been lagging behind a little bit compared to how high they usually finish. Heading into this past week, they weren’t even in the top 20 of the 247Sports composite 2024 recruiting team rankings.

This cycle is far from over, though and Nick Saban’s squad is beginning to catch up with the usual contenders. They got an especially big boost on Sunday night when Alabama got a commitment from Mater Dei (Calif.) four-star cornerback Zabien Brown.

Brown (6-foot-0, 180 pounds) reportedly had offers from 18 other schools. Among the other programs that were considered contenders for his commitment were Ohio State and USC.

According to 247Sports, Brown is the fifth-best cornerback in his class, ranks No. 4 overall in the state of California and No. 45 nationally.

Asked why he picked Alabama, Brown credited his relationship with the coaches, per Hayes Fawcett at On3.

“I just felt like there was a unique opportunity being presented and I really felt at home out there… I grew a great relationship with coach T-Rob, coach Wiggins, and coach Sam Petitio… Also had great talks with coach Saban and my family and reminded me a lot of coach Rollo.”

The Crimson Tide also got a commitment from three-star German linebacker Justin Okoronkwo.

Alabama is now No. 14 in the nation in our updated national recruiting rankings for the 2024 cycle.

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247Sports ranks the SEC’s most explosive offenses, where is Alabama?

Alabama’s offense may be somewhat unknown, but the talent is most certainly there.

Alabama’s offense is currently a huge unknown for Nick Saban and Crimson Tide fans. There is an ongoing three-man race for the starting quarterback job to replace Bryce Young, the wide receivers didn’t impress last season and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is entering his first season with Alabama.

While all of these aforementioned reasons may cause many to believe the offense is a liability for the Crimson Tide in 2023, 247Sports’ Brad Crawford believes otherwise.

Crawford recently ranked the top-seven SEC teams by how explosive their offenses are. Alabama ranks No. 3, behind only Georgia at No. 1 and Tennessee at No. 2.

“Don’t assume Buchner is Alabama’s starting quarterback when the Crimson Tide open the season against Middle Tennessee,” writes Crawford. “While that seems to be the expectation nationally, he’s more of an “insurance policy” according to a source, who says Alabama’s coaching staff remains confident in challenges Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson as well. This is very much a quarterback competition that’s still to be sorted out. With playmakers like Ja’Corey Brooks and Malik Benson on the outside, the quarterback’s job under Tommy Rees this fall will be to distribute and play turnover-free football in Tuscaloosa, but this is not where Alabama will be most explosive, we project.

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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. 

Jaylen Waddle should expect plenty of opportunities in 2023 season

Jaylen Waddle broke a rookie record just two seasons ago, what will 2023 have in store for the Miami Dolphins WR?

Former Alabama standout wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has done incredible things in only two seasons in the NFL. After being selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, he set the rookie reception record and then joined forces with one of the fastest athletes in the sport, Tyreek Hill.

Waddle’s 2022 season was a quality one. He had 75 receptions, 1,356 yards, an average of 18.1 yards per catch and eight touchdowns.

Mike Masala of Dolphins Wire recently shared a ‘training camp preview‘ for Waddle and stated that his production could go up because of some offseason moves.

“Hill still remains the top option in Mike McDaniel’s scheme, but Waddle isn’t far behind,” writes Masala. “He’ll likely see a slight uptick in targets with Mike Gesicki leaving in the offseason, meaning more yards and touchdowns for the former Crimson Tide wideout.”

Gesicki, the pass-catching tight end, has left Miami for New England. He was one of Tua Tagovailoa’s favorite targets, but now Waddle could see a heavier workload after a drop-off in receptions from 2021 to 2022

As far as what Waddle could do in 2023 to boost his own brand? Masala believes a strong season could catapult him up near the top with some of the best receivers in the game.

“Waddle has quickly risen up wide receiver rankings after two strong seasons in Miami. Another should solidify him in the consensus top-15. He had some drops in key situations last year, but if he can work to improve that area of his game, the Dolphins will have the best wideout duo in the league for the second year in a row.”

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Jaylen Waddle and other former Alabama players now in the NFL.

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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. 

CBS Sports predicts two teams to beat Alabama in 2023

After a rare two-loss season in 2022 for Alabama, one expert is picking the Tide to drop another two in 2023. See which games they are.

In 2022, Alabama missed the College Football Playoffs for the second time since the current four-team format began. The Crimson Tide finished the season ranked No. 5 and won a New Year’s Six bowl game that didn’t serve as a CFP semifinal.

While that may be cause for celebration to fans of just about any other team, it’s a disappointment for Alabama fans.

Two regular-season losses were to blame for the Crimson Tide’s failure to make the playoffs. Both came on the road in hostile environments. Alabama lost two extremely close games against LSU and Tennessee.

With some highly talented, impact players from last year off to the NFL, major questions exist for the Tide that require answers before the start of the 2023 season. Most notably, who will be the starting quarterback?

Questions like that will be answered behind the scenes. Regardless of who opens the season as QB1, the whole team will have the difficult task of trying to return to the College Football Playoffs.

CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee believes Alabama will suffer another two-loss regular season. The two teams to get it done? LSU (again) and Texas. What is interesting is that both of those games take place in Tuscaloosa.

“The Crimson Tide have a ton of questions (by Alabama standards) heading into the season, starting at quarterback where they picked up former Notre Dame signal-caller Tyler Buchner to compete with Ty Simpson and Jalen Milroe,” writes Sallee. “That’s a big problem considering they’ll host Texas and star Quinn Ewers — who torched the Tide in last season’s matchup before leaving the game with injury — in Week 2. LSU is going to be tough as well considering the stability on the roster after last season’s run to the division title. The saving grace for coach Nick Saban is that the road schedule is a piece of cake save for the always-wild trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium for the Iron Bowl. If the Tide top Texas or LSU, they’ll go over. I’m going to go under, but would never place a bet against Saban with my actual money.”

There are many unknowns Nick Saban and his staff will have to figure out before the start of the season against Middle Tennessee. Luckily for him and the program, there are a few months until then.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2023 offseason progresses.

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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. 

Incoming Alabama transfer QB Tyler Buchner reveals jersey number

Former Notre Dame QB, Tyler Buchner, who recently transferred to Alabama, reveals his jersey number for 2023 season.

Alabama football went into the 2023 A-Day spring football game with an active quarterback competition between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. Just a short time later, quarterback Tyler Buchner, formerly of Notre Dame, transferred to the Crimson Tide program.

Buchner, who turned the competition into a three-man race, has a history with Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who is entering his first year with the team after serving as the Fighting Irish’s offensive play-caller from 2020-2022.

In 2022, Buchner appeared in only three games, where he completed just over 55% of his passes for 651 yards and three touchdowns, but did manage to throw three interceptions.

Recently, Buchner shared via Instagram that he will be wearing No. 8 for the Crimson Tide.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2023 offseason progresses.

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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. 

Alabama football 2023 game-by-game predictions

Alabama football has a big 2023 season coming up. See how the Crimson Tide is projected to do.

The 2022 season was somewhat of a disappointment for Alabama fans. I say that only because the team did not play for a national championship and fans of the Crimson Tide have come to expect title contention year in, and year out. In reality, the Tide had a strong season that featured only two losses and a win against a conference champion in a New Year’s Six bowl game.

Nick Saban lost a ton of talent, however. Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young is now with the Carolina Panthers, Will Anderson Jr. to the Houston Texans, Jahmyr Gibbs to the Lions and even had a handful of players leave via the transfer portal.

The 2023 college football season will be a pivotal one for Saban and the Alabama program. Many fans are beginning to talk about Saban’s age and the possible downfall of the Alabama dynasty. A quality year for the Tide could silence all of the doubters.

Notre Dame transfer QB Tyler Buchner commits to Alabama

Alabama’s QB situation just got even more interesting after landing a commitment from ND transfer Tyler Buchner.

Alabama football’s 2023 quarterback situation just got more interesting as former Notre Dame quarterback transfer Tyler Buchner announced that he will be making the move to Tuscaloosa to play for the Crimson Tide.

Buchner’s stats from last season are limited, but the junior quarterback is familiar with new Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who left the Fighting Irish to join Nick Saban’s staff.

Buchner’s time in the transfer portal was brief and he also had a no-contact tag. It’s likely that Buchner knew he was heading to Alabama before he even entered the portal.

Last season, he threw for 651 yards on 55% completion for three touchdowns and five interceptions.

There’s no telling how this impacts the current quarterback battle between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. Buchner must believe he has a strong chance at earning the No. 1 job by the start of the 2023 regular season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover Alabama football and the ongoing quarterback battle as the 2023 offseason progresses.

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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.

Alabama no longer recruiting transfer Jaykwon Walton following arrest

Following an arrest on Saturday, Jaykwon Walton will no longer be recruited by the Crimson Tide.

Alabama men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats made it clear that the Crimson Tide will no longer be recruiting Wichita State transfer, Jaykwon Walton. This comes shortly after Walton was arrested in Tuscaloosa on a charge of second-degree marijuana possession.

“[Alabama is] no longer recruiting Jaykwon Walton and he will not be a student-athlete at the University of Alabama,” said Oats.

Walton’s career began at Georgia, where he played for two seasons. He then transferred to Shelton State and then to Wichita State. Alabama was expected to be his fourth destination, but that will no longer be the case.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama basketball as the offseason progresses.

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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.

LOOK: Pictures show Bryant-Denny Stadium’s field being replaced

Following A-Day, the Crimson Tide stripped the field and will have new grass ready for the 2023 season.

Alabama football has begun preparing facilities for the 2023 college football season, with the most visible aspect being the new field in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Fans may have noticed that the grass during the Crimson Tide’s A-Day spring game was a bit sloppy looking. Alabama, being one of the best teams in the nation, typically plays on pristine, natural grass.

Well, with the conclusion of the spring game, the program did as it usually does and stripped the grass to begin putting in the new field for the 2023 season.

It may look like a construction site in the pictures, but in a few month’s time, it will host Nick Saban and his team as they begin their journey to national championship No. 19.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2023 offseason progresses.

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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.