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2024 Alabama Fall Football Preview: Finding a “Wolf” to get after the QB

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2024 Alabama Fall Football Preview: Finding a “Wolf” to get after the QB


New Alabama DC Kane Wommack is a big believer in getting after the quarterback, as he mentioned just a couple of weeks back.

“There were like 751 takeaways in the NFL last season, and out of those the vast majority of them come from the pressure on the quarterback,” Wommack told reporters on Thursday. “Whether they hit the quarterback, got hands on the quarterback or they were able to put him in an uncomfortable position to where he forced to throw.”

He is spot on in that assessment, but Alabama enters the spring without a returning difference maker on the edge, called the “Wolf” in Wommack’s scheme but roughly equal to what we have long known as a “Jack”, for the first time since 2020 when phenom Will Anderson Jr. burst onto the scene as a true freshman. As with every position on the roster, there are several talented dudes to compete, but if Alabama is to compete for a national title this season at least one of them will have to emerge as a real threat.

The Departed

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Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell were an elite pair on the edge for Nick Saban’s last squad. Both are off to the NFL, Turner to the Minnesota Vikings in the first round and Braswell to Tampa Bay in the second. The duo leave behind 18 sacks and 25 tackles for loss to replace. Former five star sophomore Keon Keeley did not depart the program, but he has added weight and moved full time to the “Bandit” position on the defensive line. Jeremiah Alexander and Jihaad Campbell were the top two edge prospects in the 2022 class, but both have moved to inside linebacker since their arrival.

Returning Contenders

Based on everything that we have heard thus far, all four of the gentlemen listed below have impressed the coaching staff. Don’t be surprised if all of them get some rotational looks, but they are listed here in projected depth chart order.

#34 Que Robinson – RS Sr. 6’5”, 241 lb.

NCAA Football: Rose Bowl-Notre Dame vs Alabama

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Robinson is the elder statesman of the group, entering his fifth season on campus. The Birmingham product has plenty of length at 6’5” but is also somewhat slightly built. As a recruit, he was the top player in the state and rated as a high four star. He has generally been running first in camp and should be considered the favorite to start.

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#19 Keanu Koht – RS Jr. 6’4”, 242 lb.

NCAA Football: UL Monroe at Alabama

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Wommack has been impressed with Koht, calling him a “freak” in the spring. A high four star prospect out of Vero Beach, Koht has waited his turn and has been seen getting some first team snaps in rotation with Robinson. He will be heard from this season.

#42 Yhonzae Pierre – RS Fr. 6’3”, 239 lb.

Pierre is another in-state product, from Eufaula, and came in as a top 50 overall recruit. He is obviously on the small side for an edge rusher, but his explosiveness was said to be off the charts as a high schooler and his listed weight is a full 16 pounds higher than it was in the spring. He seems to be developing on schedule, and the talent is certainly there.

#49 Qua Russaw – RS Fr. 6’2”, 251 lb.

Qua is easily the sturdiest of the group from a build perspective, which may well give him an advantage against heavier run teams, but he hardly lacks explosiveness. The Montgomery product is also the only one on the list who was rated five stars by at least one of the major recruiting services. He saw no time as a true freshman, but his potential is off the charts. Qua will be worth monitoring.

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Newcomers

Alabama signed a solid edge class for 2024, but barring something unforeseen it’s unlikely that any of them see much playing time this season. Summer enrollee Noah Carter has reportedly flashed in camp, but even he faces an uphill battle with so much upperclassman talent ahead of him.

#24 Noah Carter – Fr.

6’4”, 242 lb. four star from Peoria, AZ

#40 Sterling Dixon – Fr.

6’3”, 211 lb. four star from Spanish Fort, AL

#43 Jayshawn Ross – Fr.

6’4”, 220 lb. four star from Kansas City, MO

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#30 Cayden Jones – Fr.

6’4”, 210 lb. four star from Asheville, NC



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Level 1 severe weather risk added for Alabama today

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Level 1 severe weather risk added for Alabama today


A cold front will bring a low risk for a few strong storms to parts of Alabama starting later today, according to forecasters.

The strongest storms could have wind gusts strong enough to take down tree limbs and power lines, and there is a low risk for a tornado.

And this may not be the only chance for severe weather. The National Weather Service thinks more storms could be possible on Tuesday, although as of now severe weather isn’t officially in the forecast.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has added a Level 1 out of 5 (marginal) risk for severe weather for part of Alabama for Friday (see the map above).

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The Level 1 risk area includes most of north Alabama and northern and western portions of central Alabama.

The weather service said strong storms will be possible in Alabama starting this afternoon, and they could linger into the overnight hours.

Damaging winds are the main threat, but the Storm Prediction Center also has a very low risk for a tornado in its forecast for Alabama:

The areas in green in Alabama will have a very low probability for a tornado starting this afternoon.SPC

Rain was moving into Alabama as of Friday morning, and scattered rain and storms will be possible through the day today.

The chances for stronger storms will increase starting this afternoon as the cold front approaches, according to the weather service.

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Areas that don’t get a lot of rain could again come close to record high temperatures, the weather service said.

Highs today are again expected to be in the 70s and 80s statewide:

Friday highs
Near-record high temperatures will be possible on Friday in parts of Alabama. Above is the forecast for Friday.NWS

No big cooldown is expected after this front passes through.

However that won’t be the case with the next system, which could affect Alabama from Tuesday into Wednesday.

There’s a chance for more storms with that system, according to the weather service, although severe weather isn’t in the forecast for Alabama so far.

The weather service said much cooler air will follow the Tuesday system, and Thanksgiving Day (Thursday) looks to be clear and cooler for much of the state.

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Here’s more from the weather service:

NORTH ALABAMA

CENTRAL ALABAMA

SOUTH ALABAMA

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Alabama divorce rate considerably higher than many other states. Where it ranks nationally

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Alabama divorce rate considerably higher than many other states. Where it ranks nationally


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Divorces in Alabama are climbing, putting the state among the leaders in the nation for marriage splits.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alabama had one of the highest divorce rates in the country in 2023. Experts point to economic pressures, cultural factors and changing social norms as reasons more marriages are ending legally rather than quietly.

Here’s what to know about Alabama’s divorce rates and where it stands compared to other states.

What is the divorce rate in Alabama?

Alabama’s divorce rate is notably higher than that of many other states. According to the CDC, the most recent data puts the state’s divorce rate at roughly 3.2 divorces per 1,000 people.

A look at state-level trends shows that this hasn’t always been the case. In 1990, Alabama’s rate was about 6.1 per 1,000, but it has declined significantly over time and has stayed relatively stable in recent years.

The divorce trend explained

Experts point to a cultural shift as one reason Alabama’s divorce rate remains high. A recent Times report notes that more women in the state are rejecting traditional “trad-wife” roles, gaining financial independence and confidence to leave unhappy marriages. Psychologist and divorce attorneys say this trend reflects changing expectations around marriage, religion and personal identity in the Deep South.

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How does Alabama rank nationally?

Compared nationally, Alabama’s divorce rate is still among the higher end of U.S. states’ rates. Here are the top 9 states with the highest divorce rates in 2023:

  • Nevada 3.8
  • Idaho: 3.4
  • Wyoming: 3.4
  • Oklahoma: 3.3
  • Alaska: 3.1
  • Utah: 3.1
  • Alabama: 3
  • Arkansas: 3
  • Florida: 3

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.



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Booger McFarland reacts to controversy surrounding Notre Dame over Alabama in College Football Playoff rankings

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Booger McFarland reacts to controversy surrounding Notre Dame over Alabama in College Football Playoff rankings


Three two-loss teams were present in the top-10 of Tuesday night’s updated College Football Playoff rankings. No. 8 Oklahoma led the way, followed by No. 9 Notre Dame and No. 10 Alabama. This led to debate amongst many, who believe that the Crimson Tide boast a much stronger resume than the Irish.

Alabama holds wins over four teams present in the latest CFP Rankings (No. 4 Georgia, No. 14 Vanderbilt, No. 20 Tennessee, and No. 22 Missouri), while Notre Dame is just 1-2 against such teams. The Irish downed No. 15 USC 34-24 on Oct. 14, but kicked off the season with back-to-back losses to No. 13 Miami and No. 3 Texas A&M.

ESPN‘s Booger McFarland broke down why the committee would have put Notre Dame over Alabama in the Rankings during a hit on Wednesday afternoon’s edition of ‘SportsCenter‘.

“I think the fact that they both have two losses lets you know that the committee views Notre Dame as the better team right now,” McFarland said. “Notre Dame is a hotter team. They lost their first two games, but have won eight in a row. And when you look at how they play and their physicality, they’ve got the best backfield in America with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. The offensive line is really good. The defense is big and physical. They can cover man-to-man on the outside, and I think CJ Carr, as a young quarterback, is starting to come along.”

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McFarland says committee looked at teams ‘in a vacuum’

“I think the committee just looked at these two teams and said ‘in a vacuum, they both have two losses. Who do we think is better right now?’ And I think they deemed that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are just the better team right now.”

“But let’s just remember, this is an incomplete resume. The committee has an enviable task of trying to figure out what the resume is going to look like when it ends, because we still have a couple weeks left in the season.”

Both teams opened the season with a loss, but in Alabama‘s case, it won its next eight games before falling at home to Oklahoma 23-21 on Saturday. Notre Dame opened with an 0-2 record, but is currently in the midst of an eight-game winning streak. With both programs facing unranked teams in their final two games of the season, it may take a win in the SEC Championship Game for Alabama to jump back over the Irish in the final CFP Rankings.



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