Tag: Alabama Crimson Tide

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies tight ends coach Nick Sheridan against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Nick Sheridan to be named Alabama OC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is expected to name Nick Sheridan as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

Sheridan, 35, recently was hired as the tight ends coach at Alabama, with DeBoer naming Ryan Grubb as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator. With Grubb moving on to become the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, Sheridan will get a quick promotion into the OC role in Tuscaloosa.

DeBoer was the head coach at Washington the past two seasons, guiding the Huskies into the CFP Championship Game last month. Grubb was Washington’s offensive coordinator and Sheridan was the tight ends coach.

DeBoer and Sheridan also were on Indiana’s staff in 2019. DeBoer was the offensive coordinator before leaving to become the Fresno State head coach in 2020. Sheridan took over as the Hoosiers’ offensive coordinator for two seasons before moving to Washington with DeBoer.

DeBoer was named Crimson Tide head coach last month following the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban. Tommy Rees, who was the Alabama offensive coordinator last season, was named Cleveland Browns’ tight ends coach last month.

–Field Level Media

Mandarin wide receiver Jaime Ffrench Jr. (2) talks with teammates on the sideline before the FHSAA Class 4M high school football championship game against Miami Columbus on December 8, 2023. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]

Report: Alabama loses 5-star commit Jaime Ffrench

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The effects of former Alabama coach Nick Saban’s retirement continued Sunday, as five-star wide receiver Jaime Ffrench rescinded his commitment to the Crimson Tide, according to a report by On3.

Ffrench, a standout in the Class of 2025 who is listed as the No. 3 receiver according to the 247Sports composite rankings, reopened his recruitment and will choose from several elite programs.

Alabama lost another five-star receiver, Ryan Williams, on Wednesday following Saban’s decision to call it a career.

The 247Sports Composite lists Ffrench, a Jacksonville, Fla., native, as the No. 11 player overall in the 2025 class.

The Crimson Tide hired former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer to replace Saban.

–Field Level Media

Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Bond (17) attempts to make a catch against Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Dan Jackson (17) during the first half of the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama’s Isaiah Bond makes ‘business decision,’ transfers to Texas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond said Sunday that he made a “business decision” by committing to Texas.

Bond’s decision to leave Tuscaloosa comes on the heels of Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban announcing his retirement on Wednesday. Alabama settled on former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer as Saban’s replacement on Friday.

“Just like the business world, you make the best decision for your company,” Bond told ESPN in a phone interview. “My company right now is my draft stock. I feel like I’m putting myself in position to increase that and have better draft stock.”

Bond was the first Alabama player to enter the transfer portal upon Saban’s announcement. He visited Texas this weekend and committed to the staff during the visit.

“It was really a business decision,” Bond said. “I’m not taking any hatred in my heart. Nothing personal. I’m going to do what’s best for me and my family.”

Bond will always be remembered in Tuscaloosa for one of the great plays in the history of the Iron Bowl rivalry with Auburn.

On fourth-and-goal from the Auburn 31-yard line in the last minute, Bond caught a touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe in the corner of the end zone to give the Crimson Tide a stunning 27-24 win on Nov. 25.

The victory gave Alabama momentum entering the Southeastern Conference championship game, which it won by the same 27-24 score against then-No. 1 Georgia. The Crimson Tide subsequently lost to Michigan in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

Bond, a sophomore, finished the season with 48 catches for 688 yards and four touchdowns. He had 17 receptions for 220 yards and one score as a freshman.

The Crimson Tide now have multiple vacancies in their receiving corps, as Malik Benson transferred to Florida State and Jermaine Burton declared for the NFL draft.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on against the Michigan Wolverines late in the fourth quarter in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Washington’s Kalen DeBoer in talks with Alabama for HC job

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Washington’s Kalen DeBoer is negotiating a contract with Alabama to replace the retired Nick Saban as the school’s next head coach, ESPN reported on Friday.

DeBoer guided the Huskies to a 12-0 record during the regular season, a Pac-12 championship and a spot in the CFP national championship game. DeBoer, 49, was voted the Associated Press Coach of the Year last month.

ESPN reported Washington director of athletics Troy Dannen has tried to entice DeBoer to stay with a new contract that would make him one of the 10 highest-paid coaches in FBS.

Before inheriting a Huskies team that finished 4-8 in 2021, DeBoer was 67-3 with three NAIA championships at his alma mater Sioux Falls (2005-09) and 12-6 in two seasons at Fresno State (2020-21).

DeBoer paid immediate dividends since being hired at Washington, guiding the Huskies to an 11-2 record in 2022 and a victory in the Alamo Bowl. He followed up an undefeated regular season in 2023 with a 34-31 victory over Oregon in the Pac-12 title game and a 37-31 win over Texas in a CFP semifinal on New Year’s Day.

Washington dropped a 34-13 decision to No. 1 Michigan in the CFP national championship.

Saban won six of his seven national titles in his 17 years at Alabama, tying the school mark set by Bear Bryant. He finishes with a career mark of 297-71-1, 206 of those wins coming at Alabama (with 29 losses).

He led the Crimson Tide to nine Southeastern Conference championships.

–Field Level Media

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates a touchdown against Indiana scored by running back Blake Corum during the first half of U-M's 52-7 win over Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Ann Arbor.

Motivators fuel No. 1 Michigan, No. 4 Alabama in CFP semifinal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jalen Milroe’s benching after Alabama’s Week 2 loss to Texas is well known, and so is his ensuing rise to one of the top players in the nation.

The chip on the shoulder of the Crimson Tide quarterback is pronounced as he leads No. 4 Alabama into the College Football Playoff semifinal contest against No. 1 Michigan on New Year’s Day at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Milroe has often heard he should switch positions. But watching those words come from the mouth of then-Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien (2021-22) was particularly irritating.

“My own offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien, told me I shouldn’t play quarterback,” Milroe said Thursday. “The biggest thing was to stay true to myself. I had a bigger purpose than anyone’s opinion. (O’Brien) told me a bunch of positions I could’ve switched to, but look where I’m at, so who has the last laugh?”

Milroe looks to add more enjoyment to his spectacular campaign when the Crimson Tide (12-1) face the Wolverines (13-0) for a spot in the national championship game. No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Texas meet in the other semifinal.

Milroe has passed for 2,718 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions while also rushing for 12 scores. The Crimson Tide have won 11 straight games — including all 10 since he was restored to the starting gig.

The signature moment was the fourth-and-31 pass to Isaiah Bond with 32 seconds left to beat Auburn in the Iron Bowl.

“He’s a different quarterback than we’ve seen all year,” Michigan defensive end Jaylen Harrell said. “Freaky athletic, can make all the throws, big throws.”

Michigan has its own solid quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. He owns a 25-1 record as a starter, but that lone setback came in last year’s CFP semifinals when the Wolverines lost 51-45 to TCU. That setback stretched Michigan’s bowl losing streak to six. Now the pressure is higher.

“I think for the outside observer, it’s the biggest game in Michigan history, one of the biggest games in college football history,” McCarthy said Friday. “But to us it’s just another football game that we’re going to go out there and try to execute, play with physicality, and lock into all the little details that are going to show up in these big games.”

McCarthy has completed 74.2 percent of his throws this season for 2,630 yards and 19 touchdowns against four interceptions. Star running back Blake Corum (1,028) has topped 1,000 rushing yards for the second straight season while setting a school mark with 24 rushing touchdowns.

The Michigan defense entered the bowl season as the nation’s leader in scoring defense (9.5 points per game) and No. 2 in total defense (239.7).

The Wolverines have thrived despite coach Jim Harbaugh missing six games due to two different suspensions. But Michigan’s reputation for falling short in big games includes an 0-2 mark in CFP semifinal appearances.

“I think everyone wants to change the narrative of Michigan football or how we can’t win postseason games or we haven’t won a (national title) in forever or whatever it may be,” Wolverines center Drake Nugent said.

On the other hand, Alabama is a stellar 6-1 in the CFP semifinals and has won three national titles during the CFP era. Few people thought the Crimson Tide would be back after a dismal Week 3 effort when a last-minute touchdown was needed to put away South Florida. Milroe was reinstated as starter the following day.

“After Week 3, I don’t think anybody thought we would be in this position,” Alabama defensive end Justin Eboigbe said. “But just truly each and every game, each and every practice, we just came together, understood that it’s us. And I feel like truly we became close as a team through all the doubts, the adversity that happened, and we truly understood that we still controlled our own destiny.”

Crimson Tide running back Jase McClellan (foot) said he’s good to play. He missed the victory over Georgia in the Southeastern Conference title game.

Alabama is 44-26-3 (plus one win vacated due to NCAA violations) in bowl games, while Michigan is 21-29. The teams have met five times with the Crimson Tide holding a 3-2 edge.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) runs for a touchdown against LSU at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 42-28. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Milroe, No. 8 Alabama pose daunting task for Auburn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 8 Alabama will look to remain in the College Football Playoff hunt when it hits the road to take on rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

Behind three touchdown passes from Jalen Milroe and a combined five rushing scores, the Crimson Tide (10-1, 7-0 SEC) trounced FCS opponent Chattanooga 66-10 to earn its ninth win in a row.

Milroe has thrown for three touchdowns in consecutive games, boosting his total to 19 for the season. Through 11 games, the speedy dual threat has passed for 2,267 yards and rushed for 332 yards and a team-high 12 scores, which ranks fourth in the SEC.

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze acknowledged the task his team faces in stopping Milroe just one week after New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia carved up the Tigers’ defense.

In a stunning 31-10 loss to the Aggies, Pavia passed for 201 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 35 yards.

“It’s a very difficult task for sure,” Freeze said. “I don’t know that you completely do that. You gotta hope that you do limit those explosive plays somewhat, but stopping him, no one’s really done that.”

Alabama may look to copy New Mexico State’s blueprint in attacking an Auburn defense that held Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Arkansas to 15 points or fewer prior to last week’s disappointing performance against the Aggies.

Bruising backs Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams join Milroe in headlining an Alabama ground attack that averages 4.5 yards per carry and 176.3 yards per game. McClellan has rushed for 737 yards and six touchdowns, while Williams has 467 yards and three scores.

Jermaine Burton, Isaiah Bond and Kobe Prentice have been Milroe’s top options in the passing game. Burton has 29 receptions for 642 yards and six touchdowns, while Bond has a team-high 34 catches for 467 yards and three scores.

The Crimson Tide defense, led by linebackers Chris Braswell and Dallas Turner, is allowing just 17.3 points per game. Star Malachi Moore and freshman sensation Caleb Downs, who doubles as a dynamite punt returner, are key secondary performers who will look to clamp down on an inconsistent Auburn offense.

Moore also is part of a senior class that’s looking to extend Alabama’s winning streak to four games over Auburn.

“It would definitely be big just to go 4-0 against them,” Moore said. “It’s something that we take pride in here just because we never want to lose a game first of all, but second of all it’s a rivalry and we’re just going to go out there and compete and do our best to have fun out there.”

If Auburn (6-5, 3-4) hopes to pull the upset, quarterback Payton Thorne and tailback Jarquez Hunter will have to spark an offense that had 209 total yards and 10 first downs a week ago. The Tigers held the ball for just 21 minutes, 26 seconds.

Thorne has passed for 1,580 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 463 yards and four scores. Hunter was limited to just 27 yards rushing a week ago, but he has 772 yards and seven scores for the season.

Rivaldo Fairweather and Jay Fair have been Thorne’s favorite options in a passing attack that’s struggled with drops. Fairweather has a team-leading six scores, while Fair has 30 catches for 300 yards and two touchdowns.

Auburn’s defense enters the Alabama game with 27 sacks.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) rolls out with Chattanooga Mocs defensive lineman Quay Wiggles (0) giving chase at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

No. 8 Alabama win 9th straight, whips Chattanooga of FCS

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jalen Milroe passed for 197 yards and three touchdowns in one half as No. 8 Alabama rolled to a 66-10 victory over FCS foe Chattanooga on Saturday at Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Milroe completed 13 of 16 passes before exiting and helping the Crimson Tide (10-1) win their ninth consecutive game.

Justice Haynes rushed for two scores and Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams and Richard Young added one each for Alabama. Jermaine Burton, Robbie Ouzts and Malik Benson had touchdown receptions and Caleb Downs scored on a long punt return for the Crimson Tide.

Luke Schomburg completed 10 of 21 passes for 107 yards and one interception for the Mocs (7-4), who are ranked 16th in the FCS Coaches Poll. Chattanooga starting quarterback Chase Artopoeus missed the game with a shoulder injury.

Gino Appleberry rushed for 104 yards on 22 carries, including a 40-yard touchdown run for the Mocs.

The Crimson Tide outgained Chattanooga 574 to 233.

Alabama scored the first 31 points and led 38-7 at the half.

Milroe tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Burton, McClellan scored on a 2-yard run and Williams added an 11-yard scamper in the Crimson Tide’s 21-point first quarter.

Milroe threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Ouzts and Will Reichard booted a 50-yard field goal to make it 31-0 with 7:07 left in the half.

Chattanooga then got on the board on Appleberry’s dazzling 40-yard scoring run down the left sideline with 3:39 left in the half.

The Crimson Tide struck one last time in the half when Milroe tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Benson with 63 seconds left.

The Mocs received the second-half kickoff and drove for Clayton Crile’s 23-yard field goal.

Alabama increased its lead to 45-10 when Haynes scored from the 1 with 8:39 left in the third quarter.

Downs ripped his 85-yard punt return to boost the lead to 42 points with 4:59 left in the third.

Early in the fourth quarter, Young scored from the 1 to make it 59-10. Haynes later scored on a 33-yard run.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) warms up during a timeout during the third quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

No. 8 Alabama remains in CFP chase, welcomes Chattanooga

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 8 Alabama takes a break from the rigors of the Southeastern Conference when it takes on FCS program Chattanooga on Saturday at Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The Crimson Tide clinched a spot in the SEC Championship Game with last weekend’s 49-21 rout of host Kentucky. Alabama (9-1) has reeled off eight straight victories since a Week 2 loss to then-No. 11 Texas.

But Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban is emphasizing to the players that they need to approach the contest against Chattanooga (7-3) in the same serious manner that they would a conference foe.

“This is either a game that you focus on correctly, you go out and practice and prepare correctly, and you build on the momentum that you’ve improved with over the last few weeks and that helps you get better for what’s coming up in the future,” Saban told reporters. “If you don’t do that, you don’t have a good showing, you sort of lose your rhythm — and rhythm is a little bit like momentum. Sometimes, you lose momentum in the game, it’s hard to get it back.”

Alabama has won its past three games by an average of 18.7 points, scoring at least 34 points in each contest. The other two victories were against then-No. 17 Tennessee and then-No. 14 LSU.

Saban doesn’t want there to be a drop-off down the stretch with two regular-season games remaining before the Dec. 2 title matchup against top-ranked Georgia.

“If you’re going to peak at the right time, you can’t have peaks and valleys,” Saban said. “You have to keep going in the right direction, and that’s what we want to get our players to focus on this week in practice in preparation for this game.”

One player excelling at a high level is quarterback Jalen Milroe, who became the first Crimson Tide player to pass for three touchdowns and rush for three scores in the same game during the victory over Kentucky.

The previous week, Milroe became the first Alabama quarterback to rush for four touchdowns in a single game.

Over the past five games, Milroe has passed for 10 touchdowns and rushed for eight.

“I think the team has a lot of confidence in him,” Saban said of Milroe. “He’s become a leader. He’s given us an opportunity to get where we want to go.”

Chattanooga, which is ranked 16th in the FCS Coaches Poll, is coming off a bye. The previous week, it lost 17-14 at home to No. 2 Furman in a setback that put the Mocs on the bubble for an at-large FCS playoff spot.

Chattanooga coach Rusty Wright is confident the game against the Crimson Tide won’t be his team’s final game of the season.

“We still have a lot to play for,” Wright said. “I believe in my heart that we’re going to play again (after Alabama). I don’t have any ideas or clues, but in my heart I know what this team’s been through and we should still be ready to play.”

Chase Artopoeus has passed for 2,672 yards and 20 touchdowns against seven interceptions for the Mocs.

Defensively, preseason All-American cornerback Kameron Brown has three interceptions — including his second career touchdown return — to raise his career total to 11.

Alabama is 13-0 all-time against Chattanooga. The Crimson Tide won the last meeting, 31-3 in 2016.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) waves to fans as he walks off the field during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Milroe (six total TDs) fuels No. 8 Alabama past Kentucky

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jalen Milroe became the first player in Alabama history to pass for three touchdowns and run for three scores in the same game while leading the No. 8 Crimson Tide to a comfortable 49-21 victory over Kentucky on Saturday in Southeastern Conference play at Lexington, Ky.

Milroe completed 16 of 23 passes for 240 yards with one interception and added 36 yards on the ground. The quarterback, who was benched for a Week 3 game at South Florida, has rushed for seven touchdowns over the past two games and thrown for 10 in the last five contests.

Amari Niblack, Kobe Prentice and Roydell Williams caught touchdowns passes for the Crimson Tide (9-1, 7-0 SEC), who clinched a spot in the conference title game against No. 2 Georgia.

Alabama improved to 39-2-1 all-time against Kentucky.

Ray Davis rushed for two touchdowns for the Wildcats (6-4, 3-4), who have lost four of their past five games. Davis had just 26 yards on 12 carries.

Devin Leary completed 17 of 31 passes for 158 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Kentucky. Tayvion Robinson caught a touchdown pass.

Alabama outgained the Wildcats 450 to 253.

The Crimson Tide scored three first-quarter touchdowns to ensure this wouldn’t be a competitive contest.

Milroe tossed a 26-yard scoring pass to Niblack to cap Alabama’s opening drive and later threw a 40-yarder to Prentice to make it 14-0 with 5:32 left in the period.

Twenty seconds later, Milroe scored from the 1-yard line. The touchdown was set up by Caleb Downs’ 12-yard fumble return to the 1.

Leary threw a 6-yard scoring pass to Robinson to get Kentucky on the board with 1:30 left in the first quarter.

Milroe threw a 26-yard scoring pass to Williams to make it 28-7 with 10:14 left in the half.

The Wildcats pulled within 14 on Davis’ 2-yard run with 10:53 left in the third quarter. Milroe tacked on a 3-yard scoring run later in the third and added a 1-yard keeper 12 seconds into the final quarter to make it 42-14.

Jamarion Miller tacked on a 3-yard run to push Alabama’s lead to 35 with 9:46 left in the game. Davis scored from the 1 two minutes later.

–Field Level Media