TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – For the second game in a row, Alabama’s offensive line did not give up a sack as the Crimson Tide cruised to a 52-7 win over Mercer in its penultimate home game.
Alabama has kept Jalen Milroe’s jersey clean in its last two wins as its offensive line, particularly its pass protection, has improved as the Crimson Tide’s 2024-25 season has progressed.
“It’s definitely gotten better,” said Alabama center Parker Brailsford. “I feel like we’ve kind of meshed better as an O-line, as a unit especially. But even as a team, I feel like we’ve just meshed better, and that’s definitely helped us.
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“I trust the guys to my right and my left that they’re gonna have my back just like they trust the guys to their right and left.”
Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) has been better at protecting the quarterback this season, allowing 17 sacks in 10 games. For comparison, the Tide gave up a Saban Era-worst 49 sacks in 2023. UA still has at least three games left on the schedule, but that’s a drastic improvement.
The offensive line gets credit for the turnaround, but first-year Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said the responsibility falls on all 11 players, as well as the coaching staff.
“Trying to minimize the opportunities the opponent gets to really pin their ears back, and when you are in those moments, being mindful of what you’re asking your players to do,” Sheridan said. “It takes all 11. It starts obviously up front.
“The identification, the technique, the fundamentals, but then the quarterback making sure he’s reading the play properly, getting the ball out on time, the running backs and their pass protection or their routes, and the skill guys getting open at the right time in the right spots.”
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The offensive line hasn’t been perfect. Alabama ranks sixth in the SEC in terms of the fewest sacks allowed. But Milroe doesn’t blame his offensive line when he’s dropped for a loss.
“I think our pass protection has been outstanding,” Milroe said. “We do a really good job of blitz pickup. We do a really good job with communication.
“I believe that any sack that’s on the field is on the quarterback. I believe that the quarterback should solve problems. I feel as though it’s for the quarterback to have some integrity and have some details when it comes to communication up front, making sure we’re sliding to the right person, not being hot in protection, getting the ball out, not holding onto the ball.
Milroe continued, “I think they’re doing a really good job and they’re grinding, refining and competing at a very high level. I’m proud of those guys because they’re definitely gonna receive the fruits when it comes to all the hard work that’s been poured into each day during the week.”
Alabama will need to continue its recent trend this weekend when it travels to Oklahoma, as the Sooners rank third in the SEC with 32 sacks generated in their first 10 games in the league.
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But the Crimson Tide is ready for the challenge.
Alabama’s offensive line is considered one of the best units in the country. It is a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation’s top O-line, and has played some of its best football of late. In the last three games, Alabama’s front has paved the way for a combined 771 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in decisive wins over Missouri, LSU and Mercer.
The Tide has won the Joe Moore Award twice since its inception (2015, 2020), and Brailsford knows what that takes, being a part of Washington’s Joe Moore-winning offensive line a season ago. He sees the same traits from the line he is anchoring in Year 1 at Alabama.
“Just the want to finish,” Brailsford said. “I feel like that’s one thing that’s really talked about in offensive line play. Just the want, the intent to really bury another man.”
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Additional performers include Chuck Leavell, Act of Congress, Roman Street, Will McFarlane and the Muscle Shoals All-Stars, Anthony Crawford and Savana Lee, the Montevallo Community Band and numerous other artists representing Alabama’s diverse musical traditions.
Beyond the music, visitors will find historical reenactments, military encampments, battle demonstrations and the popular America’s Stories presentation series, where historians and costumed interpreters bring pivotal moments from American history to life.
The festival will also showcase Alabama’s culinary heritage through America’s Kitchen, featuring live cooking demonstrations and competitions from chefs across the state, including Columbiana native Jonathan Harrison.
Families can expect a full lineup of children’s activities, hands-on educational experiences, games, crafts, puppet shows and performances by Perondi’s All-Star Stunt Dogs.
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One unique addition to the July 4 schedule will be a screening of “Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero” at 6:30 p.m. inside the West Wing Theatre. The animated film tells the true story of America’s most decorated war dog and is designed as a family-friendly tribute to service, courage and patriotism.
Organizers say Sweet Home 250 will also place special emphasis on Alabama’s role in the nation’s story.
In addition to exploring America’s founding, the event will highlight Alabama’s contributions to 250 years of American history through music, art, education and cultural programming.
“The Semiquincentennial gives us a rare opportunity to pause and consider the remarkable journey of our country,” Steed said. “We can honor the courage of those who came before us while also thinking about the kind of nation we want to continue building together.”
The celebration will culminate with a fireworks display over Independence Hall on the evening of July 4, providing a fitting finale to Alabama’s largest America 250 event.
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For organizers, however, the festival’s lasting impact will extend beyond concerts, exhibits and fireworks.
“We hope people leave inspired,” Miller said. “We want families talking on the drive home about what they saw, what they learned and what it means to be part of this ongoing American story.”
As America approaches its 250th birthday, Sweet Home 250 offers Alabamians an opportunity not only to celebrate the nation’s past but also to reflect on the principles that continue to shape its future.
“America’s story is still being written,” Miller said. “Every generation adds its own chapter. Sweet Home 250 is a chance for all of us to celebrate the chapters that came before us and consider what we will contribute to the next ones.”
The Philadelphia 76ers selected Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. with the 22nd overall pick of the 2026 NBA draft Tuesday night.
Philon is the first pick of the Mike Gansey era after he replaced Daryl Morey as the team’s president of basketball operations.
Who is Labaron Philon Jr.?
Philon, 20, led the Crimson Tide in scoring last season, averaging 22.0 points on nearly 40% shooting on 3-pointers. He was the focal point of one of the nation’s most potent offenses, as Alabama led the country in points per game in the 2025-26 season. The Crimson Tide (No. 16) finished the season with a 25-10 record and went 13-5 against conference opponents.
Philon, who helped lead Alabama to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, earned Third-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors in his sophomore season.
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In 33 games last season for Alabama, Philon scored 725 total points, which is ranked third-most by a player in a single season in program history.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Labaron Philon Jr. after he is drafted twenty-second overall by the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
Arturo Holmes / Getty Images
Philon was the 34th-ranked basketball recruit in the country entering his freshman season at Alabama, according to 247sports. The four-star guard initially committed to playing at Auburn, but decommitted. He then signed a letter of intent to play at Kansas, but didn’t play there, either. He then committed to the Crimson Tide in April 2024.
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Philon impressed as a freshman at Alabama and averaged 10.6 points in 37 games. He declared for the 2025 NBA draft but then withdrew and returned for his sophomore season, where he saw his scoring average jump more than 10 points.
Philon is a Mobile, Alabama, native and played at Baker High School in Mobile County, where he scored 2,334 points in three seasons. He was named the Class 7A Player of the Year twice.
As a junior, he averaged 35 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists and was named Alabama Mr. Basketball, which is given to the best high school boys’ basketball player in the state. Philon transferred to Link Academy, a boarding school in Missouri, for his senior year of high school.
Philon now joins a backcourt headlined by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe heading into the 2026-27 season. Quentin Grimes could return to Philadelphia next season and add even more depth, but he’s an unrestricted free agent.
The pick the Sixers used to pick Philon was acquired in the deal that sent Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline.
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Labaron Philon Jr. scouting report
CBS Sports had Philon ranked as the 14th-best prospect in the 2026 NBA draft.
Here are his strengths and weaknesses, according to CBS Sports:
Strengths
On-ball creator who made an extreme leap as a sophomore, ranking in the 99th percentile in isolations (was 24th percentile as a freshman) and 94th as a pick-and-roll handler (was 32nd percentile as a freshman). Combines smooth attack with sudden change of speed and direction, dexterity, and finishing craft in the lane.
Shot-maker who can make tough shots off both the catch (36% on contested catch-and-shoot 3-pointers), dribble (38% from deep), and has extreme gravity when he’s spacing the floor (46% on unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers).
Shown pliability to thrive in different roles over the years and is a similarly versatile creator, because he’s a scoring threat at multiple levels and also an accurate, and somewhat creative, passer with both hands off the dribble.
Weaknesses
Inconsistent defensive approach. Showed more engagement and potential as a freshman, but couldn’t maintain that as a sophomore when taking on a bigger offensive role.
Lacks overwhelming physicality or highest level explosiveness, and didn’t add any notable muscle mass between his freshman and sophomore seasons (175 pounds at 2025 combine and 176 at 2026 combine).
Unclear how well his creation scales to the NBA level when he will have less usage and volume coupled by more physicality in opposing defenders.
Alabama football hosted a hometown kid for an official visit last weekend when it got Jeremiah Beverley on campus for an official visit.
Beverley attends Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and ESPN currently has him rated as a four-star recruit. He is considering Alabama, Cincinnati, Wake Forest and others.
The Crimson Tide offered Beverley earlier this month and got him on campus for an official visit last weekend. The Alabama target told Touchdown Alabama he used the visit to learn what the Tide has planned for him if he commits.
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“I’m truly happy that I went on that official visit,” Beverley said. “Blessed for that. All I was talking about was the next step, what I got to do? So, just knowing what they have planned for me, knowing what they have set for me.”
At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Beverley makes plays for Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa as a defensive end. Alabama has plans to use him similarly at the next level.
“They’re going to have me at wolf mostly,” Beverley said. “I know coach (Kane) Wommack and coach (Christian) Robinson, I think they see me at other positions, but I know it is guaranteed they’re going to see me at Wolf and me working my way up on special teams, and they expect that out of me.”
Beverley is expected to announce a commitment decision on Friday.
Watch Jeremiah Beverley’s Highlights Below:
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Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.
