Alabama

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

Published

1 year ago

August 14, 2024

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

Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

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

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.

#19 Keanu Koht – RS Jr. 6’4”, 242 lb.

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.

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

#30 Cayden Jones – Fr.

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

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Alabama

Alabama offensive lineman transferring to Georgia Tech

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Georgia Tech

Joseph Ionata, who spent two years with the Tide, will be joining former teammate Jaylen Mbakwe.

Georgia Tech fans celebrate during the second half against Syracuse on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2025)

A second former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide is transferring to Georgia Tech.

Offensive lineman Joseph Ionata intends to play for the Yellow Jackets, according to On3. Ionata spent two years with the Tide and would be joining former Alabama defensive back and wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe.

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Chad Bishop is a Georgia Tech sports reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Alabama

Alabama Farmers Federation endorses Kristin Nelson for House District 38

Published

15 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Alabama Farmers Federation endorses Kristin Nelson for House District 38

The Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed Kristin Nelson in the upcoming special election for Alabama House District 38, a seat left vacant following the resignation of Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley). The district includes portions of Chambers and Lee counties.

Nelson recently secured the Republican nomination after winning a runoff election. The special general election is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3.

“Kristin Nelson is a well-respected community leader in Chambers County, and we are proud to endorse her,” said Jason McKay, president of the Chambers County Farmers Federation. “We know she will represent us well in Montgomery and ensure District 38 gets the attention it needs in the business and agricultural arenas.”

Support for Nelson’s candidacy also came from farmers in neighboring Lee County. “Kristin Nelson is a strong conservative with incredible knowledge of House District 38,” said Robert Walters, president of the Lee County Farmers Federation. “There is no doubt she will work hard and represent the people of Lee and Chambers counties well in the Legislature.”

Nelson grew up along the Chambers-Lee county line and brings experience from both the public and private sectors. Her background includes seven years in city administration with the City of Valley and three years as a third-grade teacher with Lanett City Schools.

She has also been active in homeschooling through Classical Conversations, where she has served as both a tutor and a local representative supporting other families.

In addition to returning to part-time work with Harris Gray LLC, Nelson serves as worship leader at Fairfax Methodist Church, secretary of the Junior Variety Club and president of the EAMC Lanier Auxiliary Board.

She also founded the Chambers County Young Republicans and currently serves as the chair of the Chambers County Republican Party.

“The farmers of this district and I share the same strong work ethic and conservative values,” said Nelson. “It is an honor to have their support and to be able to represent them and all the people of this district in Montgomery.”

Nelson and her husband, Jeff, live in the Huguley community with their two teenage sons.

The Alabama Farmers Federation is the state’s largest farm organization, representing more than 360,000 member families. The organization uses a grassroots endorsement process that relies on decisions made by county Farmers Federation boards of directors in local elections.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].

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Alabama

Tuberville officially files for 2026 Alabama governor’s race

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Tuberville officially files for 2026 Alabama governor’s race

HOOVER, Ala. (WSFA) – Senator Tommy Tuberville officially filed the paperwork to run for governor at the Alabama Republican Party Headquarters in Hoover Monday morning.

“I want to make the lives of the people of this state better,” said Sen. Tuberville. “If I thought that staying in the U.S. Senate would be best for Alabama, I would’ve stayed. but I think the best thing for Alabama is for me to come back.”

He talked about the need to grow Alabama’s economy, with attracting manufacturers being a primary focus. Sen. Tuberville said that to do that, he would focus on improving the state’s infrastructure and making the state’s education and workforce systems more attractive to new residents.

When asked about cutting waste, fraud and abuse, a focus of his time in Washington, D.C., alongside President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, Sen. Tuberville said, he expects to make changes if elected governor.

“You have a lot of different agencies here, we want to make them all better,” he said. “We also want to make sure that we save the taxpayers’ money, that we use it wisely and we give it back to them.”

The former Auburn football coach said he did not expect to go into politics, but now, he is ready to transition from national to state politics.

“It’s time to come home, put together a staff and worry about the state of Alabama and the people here,” he said.

According to Alabama’s constitution, someone running for governor has to have lived in the state for at least seven years. Some have questioned whether Sen. Tuberville fits that requirement. He said during the candidacy filing that the Republican Party of Alabama says he does fulfill the requirement.

The filing deadline for candidates to qualify for a major political party is Jan. 23.

Alabama’s Democratic primary has the following candidates: