ADVERTISEMENT

Football 🏈 Unlimited coaches coming to college football.

Support staff will now be able to help with practice. That's important for Alabama because it doesn't have an on-field staffer designated to special teams. Those duties will be support staffer handled by Jay Nunez.

The Strip…

It was made a part of our site so that conversations which have nothing to do with Alabama Athletics can be addressed without restrictions on subject matter and or language(within reason). I like the idea of having conversations related to politics, race, religion, sexual orientation and identity, etc. on The Strip….but not on the Champions Lounge. I encourage everyone to move these conversations to The Strip…I think it would be fun. RTR

Football Recruiting Rising Class of 2025 DL talks Alabama interest, upcoming official visit

Alabama has just one defensive lineman committed in the Class of 2025 so far, Saraland High School defensive tackle, Antonio Coleman. As the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff searches for more DL reinforcements, it became one of the first heavy-hitters to offer three-star DT London Simmons.

Simmons, who plays for Hartfield Academy in Flowood, Mississippi, picked up his Alabama offer on April 30. The Crimson Tide became his first Power Five offer and Simmons has been in consistent contact with Alabama and defensive line coach Freddie Roach and running backs coach Robert Gillespie. Gillespie even stopped by Hartfield Acadamy and had a good conversation with Simmons.

“It was great knowing he is from Mississippi so he knows how hard it can be,” Simmons said. “We talked about my body from me coming from 340 [pounds] to 290.”

Simmons has not yet taken a trip to Tuscaloosa but scheduled an official visit to Alabama on June 14-16. He said he hopes to take in the culture and better get to know the coaching staff during his visit.

“I think it’s a great program for developing me as a player and as a young man,” Simmons said.

While the buzz has come on late for the 6-foot-5 lineman, it’s easy to see why Alabama is interested in his services. In 14 games last season, Simmons had 78 solo tackles, including 18 for loss and 15. He helped Hearfield Academy win its first Mississippi 6A state championship in program history and can play across the defensive line.

As a result, Simmons is adding more options to his list as a late surge is giving his recruitment more team. Since being offered by the Crimson Tide, Simmons has picked up Power Five offers from LSU, Arkansas, NC State and others. In addition to his Alabama OV, he has official visits set for NC State (June 7) and Arkansas (June 21). He doesn't yet have a commitment date set and is keeping other options open in addition to the trio of schools he’s visiting his summer.

Login to view embedded media

106 days until kickoff

Next Friday will mark 99 days until kickoff. In the past we have done a countdown to kickoff, recalling the Bama past players that have worn the number equating the day until kickoff. If I have some daily help I will be willing to start the countdown on Friday; however, I cannot do it everyday, so If I start, the first person up will be free to start the thread, with my blessing, provided the members want to do the countdown. Last year was great because we have a former player that recalled stories about various people that wore numbers. Let me know if you want to do the countdown or just participate?

Baseball ⚾️ Gage Miller and TJ McCants selected as Howser Trophy Semifinalists

Junior infielder Gage Miller and senior outfielder TJ McCants were both named as Howser Trophy semifinalists on Thursday afternoon.

The two Alabama baseball stars were nominated by the Dick Howser Trophy Committee and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

The award goes to the best player in college baseball. The finalists will be announced on June 8.

Hoops 🏀 Matthew Winick Alabama transfer grades

Great stuff from Matthew Winick grading every DI transfer. Here's how he evaluated Alabama's portal additions.

Aden Holloway A-: "Excellent pedigree, and did a fantastic job of running the show offensively, elite AST/TO ratio for a freshman in a tough spot. Was an awesome shooter to start the year and completely fell off a cliff. Alabama's spacing will probably help unlock way more open looks. He could be awesome."

Houston Mallette B+: "I've always been a big Mallette guy, and I see the vision here as a pure sharpshooter with off-the-bounce skill. Has Griffen size, and could fill that role. But he's just never won in his career and been a pylon defensively. So this could go either way."

Clifford Omoruyi A: "Probably one of my 5 favourite fits in the portal. Monster rim protector with great size, timing and terrific bounce. Dunks everything and is terrific as a lob threat. He's going from one of the worst spaced offenses in the country to the best. It's a perfect fit. He'll look like an entirely different player next year. Could shoot 70% from the field. Bediako with polish. And he was a monster."

Chris Youngblood A-: "40%+ from deep on 145+ attempts in three straight seasons. Yeah, that'll do. Not a major negative on D. All the way here for this. From Tuscaloosa too."

Check out the full spreadsheet if you'd like. He literally graded every transfer so everyone who left Bama is here too.

Login to view embedded media
ADVERTISEMENT

Filter

ADVERTISEMENT