The Saturday afternoon on October 5, 2024, is the date every Alabama fan would like to forget. And why not? They lost against the most unexpected teams in their conference in Vanderbilt. And thus, as the game ended with a glaring scoreline of 40-35, Alabama’s structural problems were hard to ignore.

This game probably sums up their whole 2024 season, where DeBoer and Alabama couldn’t just find their rhythm. But, one would expect the next season to follow their redemption, but their fans aren’t looking that optimistic. But why is that?

 

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Kalen Deboer knows that the way his season got finished is far from optimistic. Speaking after his last game, he said, “We know that we need to be better.

That’s the expectation I had from day one, is that we perform at a championship level, and we certainly fell short of that. Whether you’re 0-12 or 12-0 in a regular season, you’re always gonna really critique and be detailed on how you’ve gotta improve.” He further added that Alabama will take lessons ahead and will bounce back in the next season. But there are still some perils for Kalen DeBoer to wade…

 

Alabama faced another conundrum of its own when it lost almost 41 players going into the off-season. Amongst those 25 went to the transfer portal, 13 graduated and the rest 3 opted for the NFL draft. The departed players also include QB Jalen Milroe and Jihaad Campbell (LB). The situation was akin to a mass exodus and Kalen DeBoer is in damage control mode to fill the empty slots.

Amongst the reinforcements in the class of 2025 are 5-star quarterback Keelon Russel, Cornerback Dijon Lee Jr., and 4-star names like Akylin Dear (RB) and Ivan Taylor (CB). Furthermore, the addition of defensive coach Jason Jones will definitely help the team forward. Jones is notably a former Alabama player who has deep connections with the coaching staff and understands the Bama culture well. So will it be all sunny in Bama after all?

 

 

Well, Alabama has just announced its 2025 season fixtures and fans could not just stop venting their frustration against De Boer and Alabama. Notably, while their fixtures are relatively not that difficult compared to previous years, still there seems to be no optimism in their loyal fan base. Most of the problems seem to be revolving around their QB problems and their weak offensive line. But, is there any truth to their frustration? Let’s analyze piece by piece.

 

 

 

 

Bama fans not looking forward to seeing Kalen DeBoer’s team in 2025

We know that Kalen DeBoer is looking to change things in his second year at the Tide. However, some Bama fans haven’t forgotten how his first season fared.

Naturally, the enthusiasm levels for the schedule are a little low right now. One of the users wrote, “I’m gonna say 11-2 just to be optimistic about it. Especially not knowing how our QB play will look“. Another wrote, “Not even a hard schedule. It’s just they aren’t as good as they used to be smh”. These comments highlight some glaring flaws in the QB situation at Alabama.

 

Well, there are reasons. Jalen Milroe is not there anymore, but his performances also highlighted a deeper issue with the offensive schemes. Take, for example, the game against Oklahoma in which Alabama suffered a humiliating loss by 3-24. In that game alone Milroe was, to put it bluntly, ‘miserable’.

Not only did he concede an interception and two fumbles early on, but couldn’t even land a good penetrating pass to the team’s receivers. Overall, he finished the season with almost 18 turnovers, 11 interceptions, and losing 7 fumbles. However, it’s not at all fair to blame him solely, because the problem in their O line was very visible and demanded immediate rectification. A user commented on the post and put it very bluntly.

 

 

 

The user commented, “Depending on our QB situation and some o-line question marks this could be a demon of a season or the complete opposite“. Furthermore, their woes are not limited to their offense but also extend to the defensive setup. Another user presented it very accurately, “Watch Alabama be the next year FSU. Complain about not making the CFP, lose their bowl game, and then totally go off the rails“.

Well, FSU’s story is a tale for another time, but the user’s observation here is quite accurate. Because this is the first time since 2007 that Alabama has finished without winning at least 10 games, finishing with a 9-4 record. Surely, questions will be raised against Kalen DeBoer who reportedly earns a $10.5 Million salary if the team fails to perform in 2025. So what’s next?

 

Well, we can only wait and see if Kalen DeBoer can live up to Nick Saban’s legacy and forge his unique identity going into the next season. To do that he must address his quarterback problem. Ty Simpson is an option but it will still not guarantee a 100 percent improvement. Then, his WR room also needs depth, and finally, improve the O line. If these flaws are addressed then only one can bet on Bama in 2025.

 

 

 

 

The Alabama Crimson Tide fell short of a College Football Playoff spot this season under head coach Kalen DeBoer in his inaugural year. However, quarterback Jalen Milroe remains highly regarded as he now focuses on the NFL draft for his next chapter.

Milroe’s final college football step, the Senior Bowl, has been key in the evaluation process and is where he’s showcasing his skills this week. While his performance on the field has been impressive, his off-field achievements have also gained attention.

In an interview with NFL Network on Wednesday, Milroe was asked how winning the Academic Heisman Award, or William V. Campbell Trophy, given to the top scholar-athlete, has benefited his mental approach to the game.

“It’s all about the details that come with both,” Milroe said. “Being detail-oriented is crucial, but numbers are also important in areas like pass protection, field numbers, and progressions. There’s a lot you can take from school. As a quarterback, it’s about using my keys and making the most of each opportunity when defenses show different looks. I connect the two when I can.”

His academic accomplishments have also garnered attention, particularly his impressive GPA. Milroe became just the seventh NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Alabama, graduating in December 2023 with a 3.52 GPA and a degree in management with a concentration in entrepreneurship. He’s now pursuing a master’s degree in sports management.

His talent on the field has never been in doubt, and neither have his academic abilities. However, in the lead-up to the NFL draft in April, Milroe still has plenty to prove to NFL scouts and teams to increase his draft stock, which currently remains unpredictable. He’ll be playing in the Senior Bowl on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. EST.

 

Tim Smith left Alabama with a record that might hold for a long time in addition to never losing against Auburn.

Smith received an additional year of eligibility because of COVID, and he was a true freshman with the Crimson Tide in 2020.

The defensive tackle finished his career with a perfect 5-0 record against the Tigers, and Alabama never lost the Iron Bowl.

In Mobile, where he will play in Saturday’s Reese’s Senior Bowl, Smith stated Tuesday, “I hadn’t really kept track of the record until we got into the locker room and started conversing.” “I thought, ‘Damn, have I lost to Auburn since coming here?’” And the response was “no,” so I counted five games before it finally occurred to me.

During his five years at Alabama, Smith participated in the Iron Bowl and started the final three games.

Malachi Moore, a former Crimson Tide safety who was also scheduled to participate in the Senior Bowl before requiring surgery in December, shares the “5-0 vs.

Auburn” distinction with him. The record of Smith and Moore could

Smith, a native of Florida, participated in 63 games while playing for Alabama. He set career highs in all three categories with a total of 124 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Smith was a somewhat late addition to the Senior Bowl, where he will join the American team’s punter James Burnip, tight end C.J. Dippre, and former Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe. Hancock Whitney Stadium will host the annual college football all-star game and NFL draft showcase starting at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Smith remarked, “I’m quite excited.

” I simply thought it was another chance to show off my skills and conduct a few one-on-ones at this location. To be honest, I’m most looking forward to the chat portion.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl is the best tool available for preparing athletes for the draft outside of the NFL Combine

However, no underclassman who declared for the draft early can play in the annual game, which is reserved for seniors and takes place in Mobile, Alabama.

The draft candidates get to practice on the field for a week with NFL coaching staff and personnel assessing them, which is a unique experience.

Because the Senior Bowl is played in the Tide’s home state and because Nick Saban sent so many players to the week-long event, the Alabama Crimson Tide have grown rather accustomed to it over the years.

Among the Crimson Tide’s standout players this season are quarterback Jalen Milroe and tight end C.J.

 

Spencer Rattler of South Carolina was selected the camp’s MVP the previous year.

Since RB, no former Alabama player has received an MVP award. In 1985, Paul Ott Carruth prevailed.

This Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CST, the NFL Network will broadcast this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl.

 

 

Entering his fourth year in the program, Ty Simpson waited his turn to be the starting QB for Alabama football. Now, he just has to hold off freshman phenom Keelon Russell.

 

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

In this era of college football, it’s rare to see a player who is patient. A player who is willing to wait his turn in line, keep his head down, and just do the work needed to eventually get an opportunity on the field. Usually, guys who don’t play after a year, two at most, will enter the Transfer Portal and seek greener grass elsewhere.

 

So when a guy does stick it out for the long haul, he deserves to be celebrated. Such is the case for Alabama QB Ty Simpson, the presumptive favorite to be the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback in 2025.

 

Simpson was a highly regarded prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, rated as a five-star in the 247 composite rankings.

 

He committed to Alabama fully knowing that there was no path to playing time during his freshman season with the Crimson Tide returning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young at QB. Simpson competed for the job in 2023, but ultimately couldn’t beat out Jalen Milroe.

 

Who knows if Simpson was given a fair crack at winning the job in 2024 or not or if Milroe was always going to be the starter, no matter what. But Simpson served as Milroe’s primary backup the last two seasons, playing sparingly, usually when Alabama had games well in hand.

 

There seems to be some confidence in Simpson by the coaching staff as Kalen DeBoer and company did not pursue a QB in the Transfer Portal during the winter cycle, contrary to some reports with regards to former Georgia QB Carson Beck.

 

While Simpson will be at the front of the line to begin spring practice, he’ll have to hold off the phenom and prized recruit in Alabama’s 2025 class. 5-star Keelon Russell, who finished as the No. 1 prospect in the country per Rivals and a consensus 5-star across all services.

 

Russell has drawn favorable comparisons to former LSU Heisman Trophy-winning QB Jayden Daniels and has arrived in Tuscaloosa oozing with confidence and ready to compete for the starting job right away.

 

Russell is likely the most talented QB on the roster, but picking up a collegiate system quickly enough to play as a true freshman is incredibly difficult. He also needs time in Alabama’s strength and conditioning program to bulk up to be able to withstand the hits that come as a starting QB at this level.

 

It’s easy to draw a parallel between Simpson and former Alabama QB Mac Jones. Jones also waited his turn and sat on the bench for three years. Jones signed in the same recruiting class as 5-star Tua Tagovailoa and one year after freshman Jalen Hurts won SEC Offensive Player of the Year.

 

Jones then got his chance in 2020 and was the signal-caller for perhaps the greatest college football team of all time.

 

Like Simpson, Jones had to hold off a freshman phenom. Bryce Young had the same confidence as Russell and came in ready to compete for the starting job.

 

I would caution, though, that Jones entered the 2020 season as a more experienced player than Simpson and had flashed more during his time on the field than Simpson has in relief of Milroe.

 

During his redshirt sophomore season in 2019, Jones made four starts due to various injuries to Tagovailoa. He also came on in relief and played a lot of snaps in two other games due to injury. Simpson’s next start will be his first.

 

With Tagovailoa suffering a season-ending injury against Mississippi State that season, Jones got all the starter reps during bowl practice and put together a terrific performance against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl, throwing for 327 yards and three touchdowns in Alabama’s win.

 

Milroe playing in the bowl game this year was understandable, but it also took away a lot of starter reps from Simpson, who could have used the bowl game to springboard himself toward a big 2025 season. Instead, Simpson will enter spring practice with limited first-team reps under his belt.

 

He has put plenty of work in, though, and he has the talent around him at receiver and running back to be successful, particularly if the offensive line comes together like it has the potential to.

 

Simpson has waited his turn and will now get his opportunity. But whether he can hold off Russell remains to be seen.

LSU football’s stellar 2025 transfer portal class has helped them stack numerous recruiting victories. However, the Tigers secured a significant recruitment victory in 2026.

A gifted four-star 2026 wide receiver is being kept from attending Texas A&M, Alabama, and other rival schools by LSU.

On Saturday, Kenny Darby of Bossier City, Louisiana’s Airline High School told Hayes Fawcett of On3.com that he had stopped recruiting and had decided to attend LSU. In November, Darby first made a verbal commitment to the Tigers.

On3.com, however, reports that Alabama paid him a visit on the grounds of his high school on Wednesday. The other big offer he received from the SEC was from Texas A&M.

Darby switched to LSU after first committing to Mississippi State in June 2024. Darby intends to play in Baton Rouge even though ‘Bama, Texas A&M, and other SEC schools continue to show interest. Darby informed Fawcett, “LSU is the best fit for me, and the best in the boot stay in the boot.”

On Saturday, Kenny Darby of Bossier City, Louisiana’s Airline High School told Hayes Fawcett of On3.com that he had stopped recruiting and had decided to attend LSU. In November, Darby first made a verbal commitment to the Tigers.

On3.com, however, reports that Alabama paid him a visit on the grounds of his high school on Wednesday.

The other big offer he received from the SEC was from Texas A&M.

Darby switched to LSU after first committing to Mississippi State in June 2024. Darby intends to play in Baton Rouge even though ‘Bama, Texas A&M, and other SEC schools continue to show interest. Darby informed Fawcett, “LSU is the best fit for me, and the best in the boot stay in the boot.

” Additionally, this implies that LSU and head coach Brian Kelly have secured a significant local

Kelly and LSU are still in the running for Louisiana’s top overall talent, University Lab High’s Lamar Brown, a native of Baton Rouge. According to 247Sports, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound player is “warm” on LSU. Brown is ranked as the Class of 2026’s top inside offensive lineman. Lorenzo J.

Reyna is now an Associate Editor of NFL & NCAA Football at ClutchPoints. His recent stints at Pro Football Network and Heavy, where he also writes for 247Sports, have given him prior experience in both fields. His Instagram handle is @lj_zo_rey, and his Twitter/X handle is @LJ_Reyna.

 

Henry won a Heisman Trophy with the Crimson Tide and remains one of the best running backs in the NFL.Derrick Henry, the former Alabama running back, made a lasting impact on the Crimson Tide football program, winning the 2015 Heisman Trophy and a national championship with the team.

Now a standout in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, Henry played under the legendary Nick Saban at Alabama. Saban shared a memorable story about Henry’s early days as a pass blocker when he first arrived at Alabama during an appearance on The Pivot Podcast with Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor.

“Derrick Henry, alright, so he’s a freshman,” Saban recalled. “We were doing a team pass drill, and he didn’t know anything about pass protection or blocking at all. The offensive coordinator was really on him for missing a block, and I felt sorry for him, so I decided to give him some encouragement. Henry looked up at me and said, ‘Coach, I don’t know anything about this. In high school, all they did was hand me the ball and told me to run. That’s all I know. So can you please have some patience?’”

Henry went on to win the Heisman, the Maxwell Award, and a national championship, cementing his place as one of the best in college football. This serves as a reminder that even one of the greatest running backs in recent history wasn’t perfect from the start.

 

 

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches a touchdown pass against Ohio State during the CFP national-championship game

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches a touchdown pass against Ohio State during the CFP national-championship game on Jan. 11, 2021, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

The 25th college football season of the 21st century ended on Monday night when Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 in the CFP national championship game. SEC Football by the Numbers’ review of the best of the conference’s past quarter-century started with the league’s leaders in passing yards on Wednesday, moved to the players with the most rushing yards on Thursday and continues with the players with the most receiving yards:

 

At the end of the 20th century, the top five on the SEC’s career chart for receiving yards featured Vanderbilt’s Boo Mitchell, Kentucky’s Craig Yeast, Arkansas’ Anthony Lucas, Tennessee’s Joey Kent and LSU’s Wendell Davis in the one through five positions, respectively. Twenty-five seasons later, those players rank 10th, 13th, 16th, 20th and 25th on the conference’s all-time list for receiving yards.

 

In the first 67 seasons of SEC football, 33 players accumulated at least 2,000 receiving yards in in their careers. During the 25 seasons of the 21st century, 77 SEC players have reached 2,000 career receiving yards – a difference reflecting changes in the game and making changes in the league’s leaderboard.

 

Playing at Alabama from 2017 through 2020, wide receiver DeVonta Smith not only became the conference’s all-time leader in receiving yards, he won the only one of the SEC’s 16 Heisman trophies that didn’t go to a quarterback or a running back.

 

The top 25 SEC players for receiving yards in the past 25 seasons include six from Alabama, three apiece from Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Vanderbilt and two each from Arkansas and Texas A&M. Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri and Tennessee are not represented among the 21st century’s top 25 from the conference.

 

The statistics presented here do not match the official NCAA totals for four players. Until the 2002 season, the NCAA did not count bowl statistics as part of a player’s season or career totals. These rankings include the bowl stats for four players – Georgia’s Fred Gibson, LSU’s Josh Reed and Michael Clayton and Ole Miss’ Chris Collins – whose official totals do not show their participation in bowls during the 2000 and/or 2001 seasons.

 

In each case, the player’s ranking changed. Particularly noteworthy was Reed, who had 23 receptions for 335 yards and three touchdowns in his missing two bowls. That moved the LSU wide receiver from 11th in 21st century receiving yards on the official list to fourth on the all-games-included list. Gibson moved from 10th to eighth, Collins went from 23rd to 21st and Clayton jumped from 25th to 19th.

 

The top 25 SEC players for career receiving yards in the 21st century include:

 

1. DeVonta Smith, Alabama, 2017-2020: 3,965 yards and 46 touchdowns on 235 receptions

 

2. Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt, 2010-2013: 3,759 yards and 24 touchdowns on 262 receptions

 

3. Amari Cooper, Alabama, 2012-2014: 3,463 yards and 31 touchdowns on 228 receptions

 

4. Josh Reed, LSU, 2000-2001: 3,202 yards and 20 touchdowns on 182 receptions

 

5. Bryan Edwards, South Carolina, 2016-2019: 3,045 yards and 22 touchdowns on 234 receptions

 

6. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, 2009-2011: 3,042 yards and 23 touchdowns on 183 receptions

 

7. Malik Nabers, LSU, 2021-2023: 3,003 yards and 21 touchdowns on 189 receptions

 

8. Fred Gibson, Georgia, 2001-2004: 2,993 yards and 21 receptions on 167 receptions

 

9. A.J. Brown, Ole Miss, 2016-2018: 2,984 yards and 19 touchdowns on 189 receptions

 

10. Jarius Wright, Arkansas, 2008-2011: 2,934 yards and 24 touchdowns on 168 receptions

 

11. D.J. Hall, Alabama, 2004-2007: 2,923 yards and 17 touchdowns on 194 receptions

 

12. Christian Kirk, Texas A&M, 2015-2017: 2,856 yards and 26 touchdowns on 234 receptions

 

13. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas, 2009-2012: 2,854 yards and 18 touchdowns on 175 receptions

 

14. Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt, 2005-2007: 2,852 yards and 20 touchdowns on 236 receptions

 

15. Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M, 2014-2016: 2,788 yards and 30 touchdowns on 164 receptions

 

16. Calvin Ridley, Alabama, 2015-2017: 2,781 yards and 19 touchdowns on 224 receptions

 

16. Kenny McKinley, South Carolina, 2005-2008: 2,781 yards and 19 touchdowns on 207 receptions

 

18. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama, 2017-2019: 2,742 yards and 26 touchdowns on 159 receptions

 

19. Michael Clayton, LSU, 2001-2003: 2,702 yards and 21 touchdowns on 190 receptions

 

20. Dan Stricker, Vanderbilt, 2000-2002: 2,693 yards and 19 touchdowns on 170 receptions

 

21. Chris Collins, Ole Miss, 2000-2003: 2,686 yards and 24 touchdowns on 203 receptions

 

22. Julio Jones, Alabama, 2008-2010: 2,653 yards and 15 touchdowns on 179 receptions

 

23. Shay Hodge, Ole Miss, 2006-2009: 2,646 yards and 22 touchdowns on 173 receptions

 

24. A.J. Green, Georgia, 2008-2010: 2,619 yards and 23 touchdowns on 166 receptions

 

25. Tavarres King, Georgia, 2008-2012: 2,602 yards and 21 touchdowns on 136 receptions

 

 

 

fourth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will play the LSU Tigers (12-6 1-4) in SEC play after sTheuffering yet another defeat. Jordan Sears was summoned off the bench by Matt McMahon because Vyctorius Miller missed the previous two games; this could happen again in this game. The Tigers will need to play strong defense because the Crimson Tide have one of the top offenses in the nation.

in 7:30 PM Central Time, or 8:30 PM for Tigers supporters on the East Coast, the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide will square off in Coleman Coliseum. SEC Network, one of ESPN’s channel options, will show the match. You can get ESPN through the ESPN App and through your cable provider or streaming service. Fubo TV is a great alternative if you’re looking for a streaming service. Additionally, the game will be aired on the LSU Sports Radio Network at 98.1.

Vyctrorius Miller, who is still dealing with an ailment, will be absent from LSU once more, according to the SEC’s Availability report. Veteran forward Jalen Reed will remain sidelined for the remainder of the LSU basketball season after tearing his ACL during the game against Florida State. Before the season began, Tyrell Ward was declared out for the season by Matt McMahon, who is taking time off to concentrate on his mental health.

Guards Houston Mallette and Latrell Wrightsell Jr., who tore their achilles earlier this season, will remain out for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Derrion Reid, a freshman, is doubtful for this game because he has been missing time due to an injury lately.