Tag: Tyler Booker

USA TODAY Sports projects OL Tyler Booker as Alabama’s only first round pick in 2025 NFL draft

Only one member of the 2024 Crimson Tide is projected to be a first-round NFL draft pick.

During Nick Saban’s 17-year tenure as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, he basically re-wrote the NFL draft record books with a staggering 133 total picks and 47 first-rounders. In fact, Saban was so good he had every single NFL franchise draft an Alabama player and even had a player from every single position drafted including punter, kicker, fullback and long-snapper.

Unfortunately, Saban retired from the Crimson Tide back in January, but that doesn’t mean the NFL factory is going to come to a halt. New head coach Kalen DeBoer has proven to be one of the best young coaches in the sport after guiding the Washington Huskies to a national title appearance a season ago. Three players from that Huskies team went on to be first-round picks as well as 10 total players so DeBoer certainly knows talent.

As one might have expected, Saban’s retirement led for several players to enter the transfer portal. DeBoer has done an outstanding job of bringing a few guys over from Washington as well as recruiting out of the portal, but it’s just really hard to replace players the caliber of Isaiah Bond and Caleb Downs. So, the 2024 Alabama team might not be the deepest we’ve ever seen, but the Tide do have the No. 1 recruiting class in the 2025 cycle.

With the coaching change and roster turnover, it will be a true test of DeBoer’s coaching abilities. DraftWire of USA TODAY Sports projects IOL Tyler Booker to be Alabama’s lone first-round draft pick in 2025 with the Houston Texans selecting him at No. 20 overall.

It is pretty odd to see an NFL mock draft featuring just one Alabama player, but it is entirely circumstantial. The last time the Tide had just one player selected in the first-round was in 2016 when the Indianapolis Colts selected Ryan Kelly No. 18 overall.

Once DeBoer gets a full off-season in Tuscaloosa and some of his own recruiting classes in, the Crimson Tide will continue to dominate the NFL draft. And for what it’s worth, I would imagine we will see another player or two play themselves into first-round draft status.

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 Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

ESPN’s 2024 preseason All-American team features three Alabama players

ESPNs 2024 preseason All-American team dominated by players from the SEC.

New additions to the coaching staff and a roster that changes by the year is nothing new for fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Under the guidance of legendary head coach Nick Saban, Alabama was basically replacing an offensive or defensive coordinator every year as well as backfilling around 10 to 15 NFL draft picks every year.

Due to Saban’s retirement and the popularity of the transfer portal, the 2024 Alabama team will look much different than a year ago. The expectations under Kalen DeBoer are still to win an SEC title and compete for a national title. Even though there were significant losses from the Alabama roster following the winter transfer portal window like Caleb Downs and Isaiah Bond, DeBoer has done a phenomenal job of getting the roster assembled.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the fact of the matter is there is a reason why the Crimson Tide is ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll despite the changes. DeBoer is coming off a year where he guided the Washington Huskies to a national title berth with a roster significantly less talented than what he’s working with in Tuscaloosa.

ESPN also shares my belief that the Crimson Tide will have one of the best rosters this year as they named three players to their 2024 college football preseason All-America team.

They project the offensive line will be the heart and soul of this Alabama team with both C Parker Brailsford and OG Tyler Booker both being named to the first team as well as K Graham Nicholson. LB Deontae Lawson and P Jamed Burnip were both projected to the second team.

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 Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Alabama OL Tyler Booker responds to Nick Saban doubting the Crimson Tide

Tyler Books makes HILARIOUS comment about Nick Saban’s SEC championship predictions.

It did not take long for an Alabama Crimson Tide player to respond to a recent remark that former Alabama head coach Nick Saban made at SEC media days. On Monday, Saban predicted that the Georgia Bulldogs and Texas Longhorns would meet in the SEC Championship.

Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker was sure to respond to his former head coach on Tuesday. Booker had the following to say regarding Saban’s prediction:

“Well something Coach Saban taught us whenever we speak to the media is to not concern ourselves with external factors and he doesn’t work in the facility anymore, he works in the stadium so he’s considered an external factor…”

Clearly, Booker’s intent was to pick at Saban. In the past, Booker and other Crimson Tide players have used external factors to motivate the team from within. The idea that Saban made these comments with the intent of motivating the Alabama football team cannot be ruled out.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program.

Top photos from Alabama’s time at 2024 SEC media days

Check out the top images from Alabama’s time at the 2024 SEC media days!

The third day of 2024 SEC media days is underway and it opened up with new Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach Kalen DeBoer speaking at the main podium, addressing media members, speaking to fans and answering a series of questions.

Alabama was well represented at SEC media days, which took place in Dallas, Texas this year. Not only was DeBoer there, but he was joined by quarterback Jalen Milroe, offensive lineman Tyler Booker and defensive back Malachi Moore.

Those three players also had an opportunity to field questions to talk about the new era of Crimson Tide football and preview the upcoming season.

52 days until Alabama football kicks off the 2024 season

Tyler Booker and the Alabama football team will kickoff the 2024 season in just 52 days!

In 52 days, Kalen DeBoer will usher in a new era of Alabama Crimson Tide football, replacing the legendary [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] as head coach in Tuscaloosa.

Coach DeBoer and the Crimson Tide will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Aug. 31 to kick off the 2024 college football season inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

At Roll Tide Wire, we will count down the days until Alabama football takes the field.

With 52 days remaining, we look at current Crimson Tide offensive lineman, No. 52 [autotag]Tyler Booker[/autotag].

The rising junior is widely considered one of the top interior offensive linemen in the country and is one of the leaders of the Alabama football team entering the 2024 season.

Booker will also be joining Coach DeBoer in Dallas for the 2024 SEC media days next week.

Tyler Booker’s Photo Gallery

Which Alabama football players will attend 2024 SEC media days?

Alabama football set to be represented by team leaders at the 2024 SEC media days!

Next week Kalen DeBoer will represent the Alabama Crimson Tide football program at the 2024 SEC media days. Along with DeBoer SEC coaches and top players will make their way to Dallas, Texas for the annual event.

On Monday, Alabama released which of its players would be joining Coach DeBoer in Dallas. To the surprise of no one, quarterback Jalen Milroe, offensive lineman Tyler Booker, and defensive back Malachi Moore were the three players selected.

Milroe is entering his second season as the starting quarterback for the Tide and is expected to take a massive leap under the tutelage of DeBoer.

Booker is viewed as one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the country and has the potential to be a first-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft.

Malachi Moore is one of the most respected players in the SEC and has been a mainstay in the Alabama secondary since his true freshman season in 2020.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

Way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft features only one Alabama player

ESPN’s early 2025 NFL mock draft features one Alabama player… and it’s not who you think.

The 2025 NFL draft is still a long time from now. Before then, we must first get through the 2024 seasons for both the NFL and college football. However, mock drafts can give fans an idea of which players are on the first-round radar. For the Alabama Crimson Tide, there’s only one.

According to NFL draft expert Matt Miller of ESPN, star Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe is not projected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 draft. Instead, Miller believes offensive lineman Tyler Booker is a player to look out for.

In Miller’s way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft (subscription required), Booker is projected to land with the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 29 overall pick.

“The Ravens lost guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler to free agency and did very little to replace them, relying now on backup Ben Cleveland and former seventh-rounder Andrew Vorhees,” writes Miller. “Booker, meanwhile, is the best guard in the nation and would have likely been the top true guard in the 2024 draft class had he been eligible. He’s powerful and pancakes defensive linemen with ease. In 2023, he surrendered just four pressures and one sack over 13 starts at left guard. This is the type of no-nonsense interior blocker whom the Ravens covet.”

There’s no doubt that Booker has the talent to be a first-round selection. His name has consistently appeared in early mock drafts. However, it does come as somewhat of a surprise to see Milroe’s name excluded from the first 32 picks.

Numerous quarterbacks from programs all across the nation are referenced in the mock draft, including some from SEC rivals.

It is important to mention a few things to fans who wonder why Milroe was left off. First of all, this is a projection. It’s very early and even mock drafts that are done just hours before the actual draft are off by a fair number of picks. Also, Milroe is a talented quarterback who steadily improved throughout the 2023 season. Under Kalen DeBoer in 2024, he will surely have all the tools needed to excel. Expect projections to change, it’s natural.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news and projections as the 2024 college football season approaches.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Ravens add an All-American offensive guard in ESPN’s early 2025 mock draft

Matt Miller released an early 2025 NFL mock draft for ESPN and the Baltimore Ravens landed Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker in Round 1

The Ravens have a loaded squad with Super Bowl aspirations, but it’s never too early for a look ahead to the 2025 NFL draft.

Baltimore reloaded the offensive line this past April, selecting Washington All-American offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten with their second-round pick. ESPN’s Matt Miller just revealed his first mock draft for 2025, and he has the Ravens landing an All-American offensive guard from Alabama and the SEC.

29. Baltimore Ravens
Tyler Booker, G, Alabama*

The Ravens lost guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler to free agency and did very little to replace them, relying now on backup Ben Cleveland and former seventh-rounder Andrew Vorhees. Booker, meanwhile, is the best guard in the nation and would have likely been the top true guard in the 2024 draft class had he been eligible. He’s powerful and pancakes defensive linemen with ease. In 2023, he surrendered just four pressures and one sack over 13 starts at left guard. This is the type of no-nonsense interior blocker whom the Ravens covet.

Booker and Andrew Vorhees would give Baltimore two young, athletic offensive guards for the future while solidifying the offensive line for years to come outside of the left tackle spot currently manned by Ronnie Stanley.

Four Alabama players named preseason All-Americans by Walter Camp Football Foundation

Quartet of Alabama football players land on Walter Camp Football Foundation preseason All-American team

June was a busy month on the recruiting trail for Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide football team and now that we’ve officially made it to July, the college football season is just around the corner and that means preseason watch lists and rankings will be dropping daily.

On Monday, the Walter Camp Football Foundation released its 2024 preseason All-Americans and Alabama landed four players on the two-deep.

Tyler Booker and Graham Nicholson earned first-team honors while Parker Brailsford and James Burnip earned spots on the second-team.

Booker and Prailsford make up two-thirds of one of the best interior offensive lines in the country while Nicholson and Burnip combine for the top specialist duo.

Stay connected to Roll Tide Wire for more coverage of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

Three Alabama offensive linemen tabbed as 2025 NFL draft prospects to watch

Alabama’s offensive line in 2024 is loaded with talent that is already catching the eyes of NFL scouts.

The 2024 college football season will be interesting for a variety of reasons, one of which being a new-look Alabama Crimson Tide program without the legendary head coach Nick Saban. New head coach Kalen DeBoer inherits a talented team that is poised to be competitive in the upcoming season.

While there were numerous devastating losses at the hands of the 2024 NFL draft and the transfer portal, the Crimson Tide roster is still one of the strongest in the nation. One positional unit that Alabama fans should not be concerned about is the offensive line. Recently, Pro Football Focus ranked the Tide’s offensive line as the best OL in all of college football.

The players that make up the line for the Crimson Tide are experienced players who have a proven track record of protecting the quarterback and establishing opportunities for both the passing game and the ground game.

Recently, ESPN NFL draft experts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid ranked the top-five players at every position (subscription required) who should be considered preseason 2025 draft prospects.

At guard, two Alabama players were named. According to both Miller and Reid, Tyler Booker is the top-ranked guard in the nation. The Crimson Tide junior had a big role on the line in 2023 and even contributed in 12 games as a true freshman in 2022. He’s expected to enter the 2024 season as a player with a first-round grade and could hold onto it, or improve, with a strong showing throughout the season.

Miller also included Alabama redshirt junior Jaeden Roberts as a player outside of the top five to watch. While he is not named by either expert as a top-five guard, Miller believes he can perform well in 2024 and work his way into a respectable ranking on 2025 draft big boards.

“While we were all scouting Booker this year, his linemate is another player to keep an eye on,” writes Miller. “With eight starts last season, Roberts emerged as a solid starter at right guard thanks to his power and easy movement at 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds. And as evidenced by just three sacks allowed in 2023, he also showed potential as a pass-protector.”

Finally, new Alabama center Parker Brailsford was named by Miller as the top center in the nation heading into the upcoming season, but Reid had Brailsford ranked No. 4 on the list.

Brailsford joins the Crimson Tide via the transfer portal after beginning his collegiate career with the Washington Huskies, playing under DeBoer before he made the move to Tuscaloosa.

In his ranking, Miller mentioned that Brailsford was the most difficult player to rank among the list of top-tier centers that are eligible for the 2025 draft.

“A transfer from Washington, Brailsford anchored the best offensive line in the nation last season, as the Huskies won the Joe Moore Award for outstanding line play. Heading to Alabama to follow head coach Kalen DeBoer will allow us to see if the undersized senior (6-foot-2, 275 pounds) can handle SEC defensive linemen.”

The offense will be the key to success for DeBoer and the Crimson Tide in 2024, and it all relies on the strength of the offensive line. With such key players such as the ones mentioned above, as well as non-draft-eligible players like sophomore Kadyn Proctor, it’s reasonable to believe that the offensive line will be Alabama’s most valuable asset in the upcoming season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM.