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.

 

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Happy Thursday, everyone. Alabama folllowed up its disappointing loss to Ole Miss with consecutive 100-point outings against Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Nick Kelly believes that Mo Dioubate’s breakout game may not be an outlier by the end of the season.

 

Don’t expect 22 points every night, but don’t be surprised to see his role on offense continue to grow.

 

“Coach, he told me to be more aggressive when I get the ball,” Dioubate said. “He’s given me a little more leeway to go score the ball, so you should be seeing that more … hopefully.”

 

He’s never been known for his scoring or shooting. Dioubate is, after all, ninth in the rotation in points per game with 4.7. Only Aiden Sherrell averages fewer among players seeing regular time in the rotation. Defense and blue-collar points have been Dioubate’s foundation for getting minutes. He’s the posterchild for blue-collar basketball. But now he might have earned the opportunity to see more chances to score.

 

Oats said Dioubate has always had the leeway to score, but now Dioubate has more experience.

 

“He just needed to learn how to do it with the correct spacing when the opportunities are there,” Oats said. “You can’t put your head down and drive into crowds and expect anything good to happen.”

 

The “off-road package” was quite promising on Tuesday night.

 

Alabama football finished 17th in the Coaches’ poll. Kalen DeBoer ranked his squad slightly higher at 15.

 

Alabama’s coach placed the Crimson Tide at No. 15, according to USA Today’s reveal of every coach’s ballot. Teams DeBoer placed ahead of Alabama included SMU and Indiana, both squads UA fans were unhappy made the College Football Playoff over UA.

 

The season came to an end with Ohio State winning the national championship over Notre Dame Monday in Atlanta. The 2024 season was the first that featured a 12-team playoff, which Alabama was the first team out of, doomed by regular-season losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Oklahoma.

 

Adam Rittenberg of ESPN gave Kalen a C- for his Alabama debut season.

 

I liked that Alabama went away from the Nick Saban tree to replace him and then brought in a coach who knew how to win championships and win big games.

 

But DeBoer’s adjustment to the environment, roster and expectations became a real challenge. Alabama was wildly unpredictable from game to game and even series to series. The Tide delivered a dramatic win over Georgia, only to fall at Vanderbilt for the first time in four decades. They outlasted South Carolina at home, only to lose at Tennessee and later at Oklahoma, failing to score a touchdown in Norman.

 

Alabama finished 115th nationally in penalties. Any post-Saban season that doesn’t end with a CFP appearance will be deemed a big disappointment, and Alabama’s bowl loss to Michigan — despite having almost all of its key players participating — was inexcusable. DeBoer will be under an even bigger microscope in Year 2

 

Seems fair. Alabama had no business putting itself in position to miss the playoff this year. Vandy played a phenomenal game and that one would have mostly been forgotten absent the no-show in Norman.

 

DeBoer will have a bit more of a chance at building a roster in his own image this offseason. Nobody really knows what we have next year, other than quite a bit of blue chip talent. As such, the predictions are all over the map.

 

For his money, Alex Scarborough sees some reason for optimism.

 

Whoever starts at quarterback, the offense figures to be more balanced than it was under the run-heavy direction of Jalen Milroe. Which means more opportunities for more receivers and more carries for the running back.

 

The hope is that a more balanced offense is more effective.

 

Adding former Miami receiver Isaiah Horton and former Louisiana running back Dre’Lyn Washington through the portal should help.

 

And the defense should be in good shape, especially with the return of starters Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, LT Overton, Domani Jackson, Keon Sabb, Tim Keenan and Jah-Marien Latham.

 

Some young guys need to develop, especially on the defensive line and outside linebacker, but there were some nice transfer pickups which could help: former Florida edge Kelby Collins, former Colorado inside linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green and former Utah corner Cameron Calhoun.

 

The defense played well down the stretch and should be one of the better units in the nation next season. Quarterback and offensive line will be the keys.

 

Alabama fans should all want to see the players who will give the team the best chance to win, but it’s tough not to root for Ty Simpson.

 

It was “a day of reckoning,” Ty Simpson said, even as a quarterback who was no stranger to change, who knew how the football world worked, who saw the year-to-year turnover of his father’s coaching staff.

 

As the shock lingered, Simpson had to make a decision. He grew up in college football. He knew it was a business. He knew Saban would not coach forever.

 

 

“I had no doubt where I wanted to be,” Simpson said.

 

His goals remained. He wanted to graduate from Alabama, which he did in December 2024. He wants to be the starting quarterback of the Crimson Tide, and he wants to win a national championship.

 

“I love this place,” Simpson said. “If I didn’t, I would have left, you know what I mean? But I love Tuscaloosa. I love the University of Alabama. I love the fans. I love the program. I love my teammates. And that’s the reason why I stayed.”

 

In an age where most would have been long gone by now, Ty stayed and waited his turn. What a story it would be if he led the Tide back to the top.

 

Mel Kiper believes that Alabama will keep the first round streak intact.

 

“Booker might be the best pure guard in the class,” Kiper wrote. “He’s strong at the point of attack, and no one gets past him. And he’s rugged in the run game, getting to the second level to clear lanes.”

 

Then the very next pick, Kiper projects the Cincinnati Bengals will take Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.

 

Otherwise, Kiper doesn’t see any other Alabama players selected on the first day of the draft. He mentioned Milroe potentially for the Los Angeles Rams at No. 26 as one of the options at quarterback for the Rams to draft and develop. But Kiper ultimately predicted the Rams will draft Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr.

 

Last, a local sports media personality in Pittsburgh believes that the Steelers may have their eyes on Milroe.

 

This makes some sense as a team that has to deal with Lamar Jackson twice a year. Jalen will obviously be a project for whichever team takes him. The main reason that he may get a first round look is that first rounders carry a fifth year team option at a somewhat reasonable rate, which is valuable for a project passer.