The days remaining in preseason camp are dwindling, and so are the parking spots in downtown Tuscaloosa. Busy season is back at the University of Alabama, as Wednesday marks the first day of the fall semester.

We’ll leave the debate over whether or not the beginning of classes actually serves as a distraction for the Crimson Tide for another column. At the very least, the return of students serves as another reminder that the season is just around the corner.

In the spirit of the new semester, I’m using this week’s column to draw up a back-to-school supply list for Alabama as it prepares for its season opener against Western Kentucky at the end of the month.

Moved my daughter in for Freshman year about two weeks ago and apparently she survived sorority rush this past week. Though we're from way out of town, I'd love to get to a few games this season. Knew tickets wouldn't be cheap, but what I didn't expect were the exorbitant hotel/airbnb prices; parents weekend against South Carolina for example will be well over $4500. What do you do? Reserve hotel rooms every weekend a year before? Drive in from Birmingham? Rent a condo for the year? Any suggestions would be welcomed!

Thanks and Roll Tide!

FWIW, cardcrimson refers to my alma maters, though neither Alabama. That said, my wife, both her parents, and at least one of her grandparents are Alabama grads.

Four-star running back Akylin Dear will announce his commitment today. The Quitman, Mississippi RB is choosing between Alabama, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

Dear decomitted from Ole Miss back in June and has been linked to the Crimson Tide heavily since. I have a Futurecast in for Dear to Alabama. He has a great relationship with Robert Gillespie and Alabama has done well with his recruitment.

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Alabama just announced that this year's team captains will be:

Jalen Milroe
Deontae Lawson
Tyler Booker
Malachi Moore

Previously, the team waited until December to vote on team captains.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The final week of preseason camp has arrived. After two days off, Alabama returned to the practice field Tuesday for its 16th of 20 preseason practices leading up to game week for the season opener against Western Kentucky on Aug. 31. Players were dressed in full pads under sunny 84-degree weather.

Here are notes from the final viewing period of camp.

— The media was only allowed to watch the offense, as the defense moved indoors during the viewing period.

— In a switch from the usual, Alabama’s offense was dressed in crimson while the defense was dressed in white. One reason for this could be so the quarterbacks can get used to throwing to receivers in the jersey color they will be wearing for the next game. Alabama will be wearing crimson against Western Kentucky for its opener in a week and a half.

— I didn’t see starting right guard Jaeden Roberts, who underwent surgery on his hand over the weekend, according to his mother. Michigan State transfer Geno VanDeMark was in his place at the right guard position.

Alabama’s first-team offensive line featured: Kadyn Proctor, Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford, VanDeMark and Wilkin Formby from left to right.

The second unit was comprised of: Miles McVay/Naquil Betrand, Olaus Alinen, Joseph Ionata, Roq Montgomery and Elijah Pritchett from left to right.

— Jam Miller was in a black jersey but led the running backs during positional drills. He was followed by Justice Haynes, Richard Young, Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley.

— Hill returned to practice in a crimson jersey after being absent during last week’s viewing period. He was previously seen in a sling during Alabam’s open practice on Aug. 11. After donning a black jersey last week, Young was back wearing crimson this week.

— Alabama’s receivers split into three groups while working with the quarterbacks.

The nearest outside group featured: Germie Bernard, Emmanuel Henderson and Jarin Hamilton

The farthest outside group featured: Ryan Williams, Caleb Odom and Kendrick Law.

The slot receiver group featured: Kobie Prentice, Cole Adams, Bubba Hampton and Amari Jefferson

— C.J. Dippre led the tight ends followed by Robbie Ouzts, Danny Lewis Jr., Josh Cuevas, Ty Lockwood and Jay Lindsey.

— Saw Jalen Milroe connect with Emmanuel Henderson twice during drills. He also lofted a nice ball to Kendrick Law in the corner of the endzone.

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— Got a chance to see the kickers up close today. Graham Nicholson and Conor Talty both connected on a few field goals from a medium didstance. Kalen DeBoer said it's been good for the kickers to get a feel for kicking inside Bryant-Denny during Alabama's scrimmages.

Good quote from Ryan Pannone on Nate Oats and Alabama consistently having one of the hardest schedules in the country.

11 days until kickoff. Name the Bama greats to wear #11.

As a boy I lived and died Alabama football. Nothing was better than the 1960 Alabama-Georgia Tech game, at a time that Tech was Alabama’s biggest game of the year. I dreamed of being Bobby Skelton and leading the comeback of all time.

Bobby Skelton.

How is he progressing in fall camp. JO appears to have elite athleticism and good football instincts. Update please…RTR

https://www.espn.com/college-footba...oma-state-players-told-stop-asking-more-money I’m glad he took a stand good for him

12 days until kickoff. Name the Alabama greats to wear #12. This could be the longest one yet. I’ll take an easy one.

Coach Bryant. I wouldn’t dare call him anything else, even today.

13 days until kickoff. ,name the Bama Legends to wear #13. I’ll save you’ll themeasy one. I’ll take the best Saban impression.

Robert Ezell

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40884614/bubbly-mac-jones-enjoying-football-again-jaguars Glad to see Mac Jones doing well good for him

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Adding to this, Stevenson was nursing an injury last summer and couldn’t fully participate in Alabama’s strength and conditioning program last offseason. So he came in a little undersized on top of having reclassified. Sounds like Stevenson is getting that strength training ahead of what should be his true freshman season. He needs to continue developing a shot but if he can be the kind of player he was in the tournament over the course of a whole season that will be a scary prospect for Alabama’s opponents.

Did you see P. Mahomes perform his Globe Trotter routine with his behind-the-back pass yesterday? I'm no Chief's fan but that was a thing of beauty.

Four-star linebacker Jaedon Harmon has flipped his commitment from Alabama to Tennessee. Harmon had been committed to Alabama since April.

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Wasn't super confident Alabama would retain all of its linebackers given how big the room was in 2025. The Crimson Tide still has Duke Johnson, Luke Metz and Abduall Sanders committed as inside linebackers with Justin Hill and Dawson Merritt committed to play the Wolf position. It will be interesting to see if the Tide go after a different ILB option. Four-star Ty Jackson was one of the few uncommitted linebackers who took an official visit this summer so he could certainly be one to watch.

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Any big recruiting gets on the horizon?

How are we sitting for his commitment anyone know

is there a schedule of practice days the media is able to view and be able to report it?

Last year I did a 12 game weekly prediction thread. We posted 12 games each week for people to pick the winners. Is there interest in doing it again this year and if we do, any changes.

First team: Parker Brailsford (center), Graham Nicholson (placekicker)

Second team: Tyler Booker (guard)

There’s some big dudes in there. Please tell me who the little guy is in the middle?
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A couple of commits have already played games. See when all of Alabama's pledges start their seasons here: