Alabama
Is Alabama football defense outperforming expectations under Kalen DeBoer?
With returning starters all through the middle of the Alabama football defense − at defensive tackle, inside linebacker and safety − stopping the run figured to be a strength of the 2024 Crimson Tide. Meanwhile, Alabama entered the season green with inexperience at cornerback and at the pass rush edge, suggesting that growing pains were inevitable in pass defense.
It’s been much the opposite through three games.
Part of the reason, certainly, is that the quarterbacks the Crimson Tide has faced to date aren’t exactly dynamic passers. Western Kentucky’s TJ Finley has been pedestrian at best in his career against tough competition, South Florida’s Byrum Brown was more effective as a runner against UA, and Wisconsin starter Tyler Van Dyke barely played against Alabama due to a first-quarter knee injury.
Still, UA defensive coordinator Kane Wommack is excited by what he’s seen from his cornerbacks, led by starters Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown.
“In the last two games, we’ve had over 100 snaps of man coverage, and on the outside in man coverage our corners have only given up two catches for 24 yards. So (I’m) really pleased by the consistency we’re seeing from some of those young players on the outside,” Wommack said. “I think we’ve been fairly sticky in coverage. I think we’re denying some of the easy-access throws, and at the same time, we’ve been able to limit some of the explosive plays downfield.”
GOODBREAD: How DeBoer differs from Saban on game day
NOT JUST YET: Much of Alabama offense won’t be installed in 2024
Wommack sees more issues with the run defense. Wisconsin rushed for 149 yards and its top back, Chez Mellusi, averaged six yards per carry against the Crimson Tide. Up next for Alabama, of course, is a foe that can absolutely gash defenses with the run: Georgia. With Trevor Etienne averaging 6.5 yards per carry as a highly-talented transfer from Florida, the Bulldogs will check for soft spots in Alabama’s run defense early and often on Sept. 28.
“I still think there’s some things we’re not doing well enough in the run game right now. I think we’ve got to continue to work in cleaning up some of our fundamentals and techniques,” Wommack added. “I also think schematically, when we call some of our pressures, we have not executed those things well enough up front.”
Etc.
A week ago, it was noted here that Alabama very much needed sophomore left tackle Kadyn Proctor to be in peak form coming off a shoulder injury in his season debut at Wisconsin. The outcome? He delivered exactly that. Over 46 snaps, his pass protection allowed no sacks, no hurries and no hits on QB Jalen Milroe. He wasn’t penalized once, and he turned in the fifth-best run-blocking grade of his 15-game career, per Pro Football Focus. … Former Alabama running back and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram spoke to the Crimson Tide on Friday night before UA’s road game at Wisconsin. Ingram was in Madison as part of FOX Sports’ broadcast team. He also spoke to the team in Tuscaloosa in August.
Around the SEC
After Wake Forest bought its way out of a Sept. 13, 2025, road game at Ole Miss last week, Rebels coach Lane Kiffin understandably criticized the move. But his lament about how difficult it will be to find a replacement opponent on short notice rings hollow. In fact, there’s an easy option within a bus drive of Oxford that would eagerly sign up: Southern Miss needs a game for Sept. 13 next year, too. … The Billy Napier Death March moves to Starkville this week. Does it end there? If Florida drops its third September loss to a Mississippi State team that just got drummed at home by Toledo, Gator fans will be incensed. Then again, interim coach stints are designed to last a messy few weeks, not a messy three months. And this early in the season, getting an early start on a job search is overrated as an advantage. … Imagine it’s your school’s first league game as a new member of the SEC. You’re 3-0. You’ve got ESPN’s “College GameDay” coming to town. And you (Oklahoma) get blasted at home by one of your own favorite sons (Tennessee coach Josh Heupel). It could easily happen Saturday. … SEC Spread Pick of the Week: Needing to get even for the season, this week’s pick advises the under on the Florida-MSU total (58.5). Season ATS: 1-2 (.333). All-time ATS: 22-6-1 (.776).
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
Alabama
Alabama NAACP Releases 2026 Selma Jubilee Weekend Schedule
The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP has announced its official schedule for the 2026 NAACP-sponsored Selma Jubilee Bridge Crossing Weekend, set for March 6–8 in Montgomery and Selma.
Held under the theme “A Time for Standing,” the annual commemoration honors the Foot Soldiers of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery marches and recognizes the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and Rev. Jesse Jackson for their roles in advancing civil rights and voting access.
The three-day event will bring together national, state and local leaders, along with youth and college chapters, faith partners and community members for activities focused on reflection, education and civic engagement.
Scheduled events include a civic discussion titled “The New Civic Path” on March 6 at the Montgomery Interpretive Center at Alabama State University, followed by a Jubilee Gala that evening at Embassy Suites in Montgomery. On March 7, the Birmingham Metro Branch will host a bus trip to Selma, while a statewide civic engagement training will take place in Montgomery.
SEE ALSO: Bridge Crossing Jubilee to honor Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy in Selma
SEE ALSO: 16th Street Baptist Church: Keeping a Legacy Alive 63 Years Later
On March 8, participants will take part in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Parade, voter activation efforts, worship services at Brown Chapel AME Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church, and the traditional bridge crossing at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
Organizers say the weekend will emphasize continued civic participation and community engagement across Alabama.
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March 6 — Alabama NAACP Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Gala 5:30PM Embassy Suites by Hilton, 300 Tallapoosa St, Montgomery, AL 36104
March 7 — NAACP Birmingham Metro Branch Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Bus Trip 8AM–5PM Broad Street and Water Avenue in Selma Alabama
March 7 — Alabama State NAACP Statewide Civic Engagement Training 8–4:15PM Homewood Suites, 7800 EastChase Pkwy, Montgomery, AL 36117
March 8 — Alabama State NAACP in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Parade 8AM–10AM Begins at 1722 Broad St and concludes at the National Voting Rights Museum
March 8 — Alabama NAACP Statewide Bridge Crossing Jubilee Bus Trip 8AM–5PM Alabama State University, Untenese and Mobile Branch and University of Alabama, Oakwood University, Broad Street and Water Avenue, Selma
March 8 — Alabama NAACP Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Participation in Worship Services 10AM–2PM Brown Chapel AME Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church, Selma
March 8 — Alabama NAACP Youth and College Civic Engagement Voter Activation 8AM–2PM Broad Street and Water Ave, Selma
March 8 — Alabama NAACP Statewide Bridge Crossing 11:15PM – Line up Alabama NAACP Tent on Waters Ave or at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma
Alabama
3 Alabama players who helped their draft stock at 2026 NFL combine
Each player had a pivotal role on the Crimson Tide in 2025.
Alabama had a multitude of former players who performed at an elite level at the NFL combine this past weekend.
Former Alabama star quarterback Ty Simpson was among those who put his talents on full display in Indianapolis, as Simpson continues to emerge as a top quarterback prospect available in April’s draft.
Numerous Crimson Tide stars on both sides of the football were able to have an excellent showing at the combine as well, with each playmaker a vital component to the Tide’s success in 2025.
Here are three Alabama players who helped their draft stock rise at the NFL combine.
Ty Simpson, Quarterback
Simpson is widely regarded as the best quarterback prospect available outside of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The talented redshirt junior put on an absolute show at the NFL combine, as Simpson delivered multiple perfect throws and put his talents on full display throughout Saturday’s events.
The former Alabama star is a candidate to potentially shine day one in his campaign in the NFL, as Simpson’s draft stock continues to rise prior to April.
Jam Miller, Running Back
Miller is an extremely fast and athletic running back, despite struggling in the Tide’s backfield last season. The star running back recorded an impressive 4.43u 40-yard dash time, as Miller could very easily shine in the NFL next season with consistent playing time.
Miller was nothing short of elite throughout his entire performance at the combine in Indianapolis, as the former Tide running back continues to rise in a multitude of draft rankings around the football world.
Kadyn Proctor, Offensive Tackle
Proctor played a crucial role on Alabama’s offensive line last season. The star lineman reportedly slimmed down prior to the NFL combine, as Proctor displayed elite speed and athleticism throughout Sunday’s combine in Indianapolis.
Proctor is widely expected to be a mid-to-late first round selection in April, as the talented lineman’s efforts during the combine could quickly begin to work in Proctor’s favor during next month’s draft.
The 2026 NFL draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania starting on April 23, as each Crimson Tide star will look to shine throughout their rookie campaign in the NFL.
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Alabama
Husband, 19, fatally shot wife, 24, himself at Alabama hospital moments after welcoming their first child
A husband fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself at an Alabama hospital just moments after they welcomed their first child on Sunday.
Kynath Terry Jr., 19, gunned down 24-year-old Precious Johnson before fatally shooting himself inside the Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital around 9:30 p.m. Sunday night, WTVM 13 reported.
Johnson delivered a healthy baby just before she was murdered. It’s not immediately clear if the baby was present during the shooting, but police said that Terry and Johnson were the only ones injured.
Terry’s mother told the outlet that the couple were having some marital issues leading up to Johnson’s due date, but nothing that made her fear her son would become violent.
She told the outlet that Terry completed Army National Guard training before tying the knot with Johnson.
She noted that Johnson didn’t want Terry’s side of the family at the hospital for her child’s birth, but it’s unclear if anyone from the mother-to-be’s own family was there.
The hospital was plunged into a lockdown “out of an abundance of caution” while police investigated reports of a shooting. It wasn’t lifted until hours later when they determined there was “no active threat to patients, team members or the public,” the outlet reported.
The Homewood Police Department described the tragedy as “an apparent murder-suicide and is domestic in nature.”
Danne Howard, the president of the Alabama Hospital Association, told the outlet that the chilling attack “was an isolated incident” unlike anything she’d encountered during her three decades working in the state.
Howard said, in the wake of the tragedy, the Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital would undergo a security overhaul implementing “lessons learned” from a mandated after-action report.
Just three months ago, in a town six miles outside of Homewood, a beloved sports reporter was fatally shot by her husband before taking his own life. Their 3-year-old son, who was unharmed, led his grandfather to his parents’ bodies.
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