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Which Players are Standing Out this Spring on Alabama’s Defensive Front

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Which Players are Standing Out this Spring on Alabama’s Defensive Front


TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Alabama is having to replace a lot of its production up front on the defensive line from a year ago with LT Overton and Tim Keenan III off to the NFL and Keon Keeley, James Smith, Qua Russaw and Kelby Collins off to other schools out of the transfer portal.

Because of that, Kalen DeBoer and his staff were able to bring in some help from the portal themselves. Junior running back Daniel Hill has to go up against those guys every day in spring practice, and two of the transfers have been the biggest surprises to him along the defensive front.

“Thompkins from USC,” Hill said. “He’s a really good player. Des from South Carolina. Those two are really great players.”

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Devan Thompkins spent three seasons at USC before transferring to Alabama this spring. Last year with the Trojans, he had 31 total tackles, including three sacks and a forced fumble. Desmond Umeozulu played in 36 games over three seasons at South Carolina, recording 30 total tackles with 2.5 for loss. Alabama also added 6-5, 319-pound defensive lineman Terrance Green from Oregon.

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Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about the new transfers up front after the Crimson Tide’s first scrimmage.

“A lot of potential to set the front, let them play ball. Not have to utilize pressures and blitzes all the time to cause chaos in the backfield. The ability to stop the run with the four and, obviously, the linebackers and your support is there to help. So we have certainly a bigger group of guys than what we’ve had in the past. And last year, probably our biggest struggle against the run game was on the edges.

“Our system lends to making sure balls don’t get out there very often in the run game. But even in the last game, you saw people just running right down the middle of our defense. And we wanna be able to mix things up, but we also wanna be able to just play base with the guys and our personnel. I think with those guys you mentioned, they’re gonna allow us to do that. They still got a ways to go, but I like the direction we’re headed.”

While Alabama did lose some key pieces from last year’s front seven, the Crimson Tide does return sacks leader Yhonzae Pierre as well as defensive lineman London Simmons, who played in all 15 games as a true freshman last season. Jeremiah Beaman and Edric Hill are also back for the Tide.

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“We’ve got some guys that are dogs,” Alabama safety Keon Sabb said of the Crimson Tide’s defensive front. “At Bama, you want guys that really compete, and I feel like through the transfer portal and the younger guys, I think we found that.”

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Best barbecue in Alabama? Tasting Table picks Tuscaloosa favorite

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Best barbecue in Alabama? Tasting Table picks Tuscaloosa favorite


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Ribs kissed by hickory smoke, tender pulled pork and a sauce recipe passed down for generations have helped Archibald & Woodrow’s Barbeque become one of Alabama’s most celebrated barbeque destinations.

Tasting Table named the family-run restaurant the best barbecue spot in the state.

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Here’s what to know about the Alabama restaurant worth adding to your must-try list.

Best barbecue in Alabama

Since Archibald & Woodrow’s Barbeque opened its doors in 1962, three generations have carried on the tradition of slow-cooked barbecue, turning a small mom-and-pop operation into a nationally recognized name.

Tasting Table says that while Alabama is known for its white Alabama BBQ sauce, there’s no sauce required for the pork ribs served up at Archibald’s.

Archibald’s has gained attention from Good Morning America, Southern Living and The New York Times.

What’s on the menu? 

The restaurant’s menu centers on classic Alabama barbecue, with hickory-smoked ribs and pulled pork leading the way.

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Diners can order everything from full slabs of ribs and pork sandwiches to half chickens, jumbo hot wings and barbecue platters all served with sauce and bread.

The restaurant offers Southern comfort food beyond barbecue, including fried catfish, whiting, chicken tenders and country dinners featuring dishes like country-fried steak and pork chops.

There are plenty of side dish options, including macaroni and cheese and fried green tomatoes, to liven up any meal. To finish the meal, guests can choose from banana pudding or pound cake.

A legendary Alabama connection

Over the decades, Archibald & Woodrow’s Barbeque has attracted plenty of devoted fans, including one of Alabama’s most iconic figures.

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Local lore says legendary Crimson Tide football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant was among the restaurant’s early customers, with stories of him stopping by for a taste of the barbecue and hot wings while wearing his trademark houndstooth hat.

Location and hours

  • Where:
    • Northport- 1211 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
    • Tuscaloosa- 4215 Greensboro Ave
  • Hours:
    • Northport: Monday- Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed on Sunday
    • Tuscaloosa: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.



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70-year-old Alabama man convicted in Pensacola in online child enticement sting

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70-year-old Alabama man convicted in Pensacola in online child enticement sting


PENSACOLA, Fla. — A 70-year-old Robertsdale, Alabama, man was found guilty by a federal jury in Pensacola after prosecutors said he tried to entice a child online and then traveled to meet the child for sex in Pensacola.

David A. Girard was convicted in federal court of attempted enticement of a minor, traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of illicit sexual conduct, and committing a felony involving a minor while being a registered sex offender, according to the release.

The release states that Evidence at trial showed that in October 2025, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners conducted an undercover operation aimed at identifying people soliciting minors online for sex.

On Oct. 17, 2025, Girard began communicating with someone he believed was a 14-year-old child, according to trial evidence.

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Prosecutors said he described sexual acts he wanted to perform and arranged a meeting location in Pensacola.

When Girard traveled to the agreed-upon location to meet the purported child, he was arrested, according to the release.

Electronic evidence seized under a search warrant confirmed Girard had communicated with the person he believed was a child and traveled to meet him, according to trial evidence.

Girard faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison on Count 1, and up to 30 years in prison on Count 2.

He also faces a mandatory 10-year prison term on Count 3, consecutive to any sentence imposed on Count 1.

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The investigation involved the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals Service.



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Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo kicks off on Dauphin Island

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Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo kicks off on Dauphin Island


DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) – The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo begins Friday morning on Dauphin Island, following a kickoff party Thursday night that featured the Captain T-Bone’s Liar’s Contest.

Rodeo contestants, their families and others attended the event, where participants competed to tell their best fish tales.

Cody Ward, vice president of publicity for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, said the stories are always a highlight.

“I don’t like to speculate too much on the lies, there are a lot of them, they come and go, and they are great all the time,” Ward said. “Make sure you’re out here, check them out, support these people, they love to do this and we love to hear their fish tales.”

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Mike Eubanks has been fishing in the rodeo since 1982. He’s been to the liars contest many times and says he’s heard some great ones over the years.

“They can come up with some good ones. I don’t know which one was the craziest but the winner every year deserves it I promise you. Those judges have a hard time because they are some good ones,” Eubanks said.

The rodeo gets underway Friday with a cannon blast at 5 a.m. and runs through the weekend.

Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.



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