Tag: Alabama

Oct 10, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb watches pregame warmups against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Reports: Seahawks fire OC Ryan Grubb

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was fired by the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, according to multiple reports.

The Seahawks finished the 2024 season 28th in rushing (95.7 yards per game) and 18th in points per game (22.1).

First-year head coach Mike Macdonald hired Grubb after also interviewing then-UCLA head coach Chip Kelly and being denied an interview request for Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. Kelly was hired as Ohio State offensive coordinator.

With no NFL playcalling experience, Macdonald shrugged off the risk of hiring Grubb on Feb. 13, 2024.

Grubb spent the previous two seasons at the University of Washington serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He initially agreed to join former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer at Alabama before the opportunity arose to stay in Seattle with the Seahawks.

DeBoer helped Grubb climb the ranks as a college coach at University of Sioux Falls, where they team from 2007-2013 to win two NAIA championships, and then at Eastern Michigan, Fresno State and Washington.

–Field Level Media

Mar 6, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Co-defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler works with defensive players during practice of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team Wednesday.

Report: Alabama co-DC Colin Hitschler won’t return

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Alabama is parting ways with co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler, ESPN and other media outlets reported Friday.

Hitschler, 38, had one year left on his initial two-year contract. He worked primarily with the safeties and shared DC duties with linebackers coach Kane Wommack.

The Crimson Tide finished 9-4 in head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first season, ending with a 19-13 loss to Michigan on Tuesday in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

The Alabama defense allowed 17.4 points per game. The Crimson Tide are ranked ninth nationally.

Hitschler was previously the co-defensive coordinator at Wisconsin (2023) and Cincinnati (2022).

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) celebrates after defeating the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe declares for 2025 NFL Draft

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Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday.

A two-year starter for the Crimson Tide, Milroe had one season of eligibility remaining.

Milroe’s season ended Tuesday with a 19-13 loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

“To my teammates, my brothers, thank you for the blood, sweat and tears we’ve shared,” Milroe posted. “The bonds we’ve built will last a lifetime. To Coach (Nick) Saban, thank you for believing in me and instilling the standard of excellence in me. To Coach (Kalen) DeBoer, thank you for challenging me and helping me grow into the player and leader I am today.”

Milroe completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 2,844 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 13 games in 2024. He also rushed for 726 yards and 20 touchdowns.

He finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting in his first season as the starter in 2023, passing for 2,834 yards and 23 TDs and rushing for 531 yards and 12 scores in 13 games.

Milroe, who backed up 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young during his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa, already earned his undergraduate degree.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Derrick Moore (8) sacks Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Michigan forces 3 turnovers, tops No. 11 Alabama in ReliaQuest Bowl

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Dominic Zvada kicked four goals and Davis Warren threw a touchdown pass before leaving with a knee injury as Michigan notched a 19-13 victory over No. 11 Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Tampa, Fla.

The Wolverines (8-5) took advantage of three Crimson Tide first-quarter turnovers to build a 16-point lead en route to winning their third straight contest.

Jalen Milroe completed 16 of 32 passes for 192 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Alabama (9-4). But Milroe had just 7 yards on 16 rushes and he was mistake-prone in the first quarter with an interception and two lost fumbles.

The Crimson Tide rushed for just 68 yards, well below their season average (182.7).

This contest was a rematch of last season’s College Football semifinals when Michigan beat Alabama 27-20 in overtime. The Wolverines went on to beat Washington in the championship game.

Warren completed 9 of 12 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown before leaving with a right knee injury. He was replaced by Alex Orji, who was 2-of-3 passing for 2 yards with one interception.

Warren limped off the field after being sacked early in the third quarter and soon went to the locker room for evaluation. He returned to the sideline early in the fourth quarter on crutches and sporting a bag of ice on his right knee.

Jordan Marshall rushed for 100 yards on 23 carries for Michigan after its top two backs — Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards — opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Zvada’s fourth field goal, a 37-yarder, gave the Wolverines a 19-10 lead with 7:21 remaining. Alabama trimmed its deficit back to six on Graham Nicholson’s 51-yard field goal with 4:38 left.

The Crimson Tide’s final chance ended with a pressured Milroe throwing a fourth-down incomplete pass from the Wolverines’ 15 with 49 seconds left.

Michigan cashed in three Alabama first-half turnovers into 13 points and led 16-10 at the break.

Zvada opened the scoring with a 45-yard field goal before the Crimson Tide turnovers began.

Milroe’s fumble was recovered at the Alabama 19-yard line by Derrick Moore. That set up Zvada’s 30-yard field goal to make it 6-0 with 5:52 left in the quarter.

Two plays later, Milroe was intercepted by Wesley Walker, who returned the ball three yards to the Crimson Tide 16. Three plays later, Warren tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Frederick Moore for a 13-point lead.

On Alabama’s next offensive play, Aamir Hall delivered a strip-sack of Milroe. Cameron Brandt picked up the ball and returned it 5 yards to the Crimson Tide 6, setting up Zvada’s 21-yard field goal to make it 16-0 with 2:04 left in the quarter.

Alabama got on the board when Milroe threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Robbie Ouzts with 4:06 left in the half. Nicholson tacked on a 24-yard field goal with four seconds left in the half.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Malachi Moore (13) tackles Auburn Tigers tight end Rivaldo Fairweather (13) during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images

Alabama S Malachi Moore to miss ReliaQuest Bowl with injury

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Alabama All-American safety Malachi Moore will undergo surgery and miss the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan on Dec. 31 in Tampa, Fla.

Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer didn’t reveal the nature of the surgery, but indicated Moore has been playing through it most of the season.

“He’s been going through an injury pretty much a lot of the season, and it just got to the point where he wasn’t going to be able to play,” DeBoer told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “He wanted to do everything he could to get out there. He was trying to wait it out so he could see if it would be something he possibly could be able to participate in.”

Moore had 70 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles this season.

The Crimson Tide are deeply shorthanded at safety with Keon Sabb also done for the season due to injury and the decision of DeVonta Smith to transfer to Notre Dame.

“It’ll be a mix and match,” DeBoer said. “(Moore’s decision to have surgery) literally just happened, it’s not like we’ve had a week or two to think and work through this. But it’ll be young guys.”

Moore has 214 tackles and seven interceptions in five seasons at Alabama.

–Field Level Media

Mar 21, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Defensive back Jaylen Mbakwe tries to one-hand catch a ball during practice at the University Alabama Thursday.

Another 5-star recruit, freshman CB Jaylen Mbakwe, leaving Alabama

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Alabama freshman cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe plans to transfer after one season with the Crimson Tide.

Mbakwe said he has made a “business decision” after playing in 11 of Alabama’s 12 games in the regular season.

“This was not an easy decision, but I believe it’s the best step for my personal and professional development and the future I’m working towards for myself and my family,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

Wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson, a five-star recruit as a running back in 2022, also entered the portal. He was not a factor offensively but Henderson was the team’s primary punt returner in 2024.

Mbakwe signed with Alabama in 2022 and joined the team last year. He was a five-star recruit and top 15 overall prospect last year, when the 247 composite rankings placed him No. 2 among cornerbacks nationally.

Three Crimson Tide defensive backs have entered the transfer portal as of Tuesday. Safety DeVonta Smith committed to Notre Dame and cornerback Jahlil Hurley joined Kansas as part of the exodus, but cornerback Zabien Brown, also a five-star recruit in 2023, plans to return to Tuscaloosa.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) celebrates with fans after the Alabama Crimson Tide victory against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe delays NFL draft decision

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Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe plans to push back a decision on entering the draft or returning to the Crimson Tide until after the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan on Dec. 31.

Milroe told 247 Sports his focus is on beating the Wolverines, who ended Alabama’s 2023 season in the Rose Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinals.

“My thought process right now is finish this game out,” said Milroe, who turned 22 and graduated with a Masters degree last week.

Milroe, who backed up 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young for his first two seasons, is projected as a first-round draft pick if he opts to enter instead of returning to Alabama for his redshirt senior season in 2025.

In 2024, Milroe played for his third different offensive coordinator since landing at Alabama. He racked up 3,371 total yards, 20 rushing touchdowns with 15 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

Should first-year coach Kalen DeBoer lose Milroe to the draft, Alabama has Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell on the QB depth chart.

Milroe edged Simpson for the starting job in 2023 and Mack transferred from Washington to follow DeBoer.

A five-star recruit ranked No. 2 overall in the nation, Russell was named the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year last week.

–Field Level Media

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards (7) runs against Ohio State during the first half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

Michigan RB Donovan Edwards opts out of bowl

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Running back Donovan Edwards is the latest Michigan player to opt out of the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama.

Already, defensive tackle Mason Graham, tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson have said they won’t play for the Wolverines (7-5) on Dec. 31 against the No. 11 Crimson Tide (9-3).

Edwards confirmed his decision to WXYZ-TV in Michigan on Saturday.

Edwards, a Michigan native, ends his four seasons as part of the Wolverines with 422 carries for 2,251 yards and 19 touchdowns. He added 86 receptions for 797 yards and four scores.

This season, he was second on the team to Kalel Mullings with 128 carries and 589 rushing yards.

Alabama television state WTVY reported Thursday that no members of the Crimson Tide are expected to opt out of the game in Tampa, Fla.

“We started the season out against Western Kentucky together, we’re going to finish the season together,” quarterback Jalen Milroe said. “I told him (coach Kalen DeBoer) that we’re going to finish the season on a bang, we’re going to come together as a group, and try to have the best gameplan we can to be the best version of ourselves.”

–Field Level Media

Mar 6, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Jalen Milroe turns to hand the ball off to Justice Haynes during practice for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team Wednesday.

Next stop Georgia? Alabama RB Justice Haynes in portal

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Alabama sophomore running back Justice Haynes entered the transfer portal and could be headed home to Georgia.

Haynes played in all 12 games as part of a timeshare with co-starter Jam Miller for the Crimson Tide in 2024 and was third on the team in rushing with 448 yards and tied for second with seven TDs.

Haynes, who is from Buford, Ga., and is the son of former NFL running back Verron Haynes, was heavily recruited by Georgia in 2022. He was the No. 1-ranked running back in the nation and the No. 2 player in the state of Georgia in 2022 based on ESPN rankings when he committed to Alabama as a five-star recruit.

He was primarily used in a special teams role and some mop-up duty in the second half as a true freshman under coach Nick Saban.

Two freshmen, redshirt Richard Young and Kevin Riley, were listed behind Haynes and Miller on the 2024 depth chart.

Before he picked the Crimson Tide in December of 2022 after multiple visits to Tuscaloosa, Haynes also visited Clemson and Georgia.

Verron Haynes played at Georgia and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Dylan Lonergan (12) warms up at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-Imagn Images

Reports: Alabama QB Dylan Lonergan to enter transfer portal

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Alabama quarterback Dylan Lonergan plans to enter the transfer portal, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

The redshirt freshman completed 5 of 6 passes for 23 yards and rushed once for 16 yards in two games this season.

Lonergan was buried on the Crimson Tide depth chart behind starter Jalen Milroe and backup Ty Simpson.

Lonergan played in one game in 2023, completing both of his pass attempts for 12 yards.

The Snellville, Ga., native was a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, ranked as the No. 13 quarterback in the country by the 247Sports composite.

–Field Level Media