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Alabama Football 2024 Preview: What you need to know about the USF Bulls’ offense

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Alabama Football 2024 Preview: What you need to know about the USF Bulls’ offense


One year ago, the USF Bulls were coming off of a 3-year stretch of being one of the worst teams in all of college football (you can thank Dabo for sending them Jeff Scott) and they had just hired Alex Golesh, the offensive coordinator at Tennessee who had the Vols and Hendon Hooker being all the rage in college football.

We didn’t totally know what to expect, but the Bulls were expected to improve on offense, at least. A few games into the season, and they took on Alabama, giving the Tide one of the most frustrating games of Nick Saban’s career. Except, for some reason, it was because the Bulls kept Alabama’s offense in check, not because their offense ran wild.

Whatever the case, the game seemed to be both a springboard and a fluke for them, as their defense was generally bad in 2023, but they turned into one of the better offenses in the country and racked up 7 wins ( a big deal when you won less than two for three straight years).

in 2024, much of the same offense returns. This is what I wrote about their scheme last year, and much of it remains true:

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As a Heupel disciple, the offensive scheme is one that Alabama fans are now familiar with: the wide receivers will be lined up WIDE, and the ball will often be snapped within 10 seconds of the previous play ending. It’s an offense predicated on very little mental work from the QB, but more of a stand-up-and-throw it kind of thing that relies on slants, screens, and the occasional go-ball for most of the passing game.

So far, though, it’s not been too effective through the air. First year starter QB Byrum Brown is sitting at 51.5% completion rate, a paltry 5.3 yards per attempt, and 2 interceptions to 4 TDs. Receiver Sean Atkins is the only returning pass catcher from last year’s team, and small slot guy is Brown’s favorite target. Khafre Brown (transfer from UNC) also caught an 80-yard go ball in the season opener, so he leads the team with 109 yards.

The rushing game, on the other hand, has been much more of the focus for Golesh. Transfer Nay’Quan Wright played on and off for the Florida Gators the last four years, and now takes over as the lead back, rushing 17 times for 111 yards against WKU in the opener.

Meanwhile, Michel Dukes was a transfer from Clemson a couple of years ago that got 62 touches for the Bulls last year and looks to be building on that role this year. He’s got 21 carries for 104 yards so far. Both backs are averaging over 5 yards per carry through two games. The USF offense is built to spread a defense out as wide as possible and have them open up running lanes between the tackle/guard or just off tackle with TE’s coming across the formation as a lead blocker.

And, of course, Byrum Brown is really the centerpiece of the rushing attack. There’s plenty of designed QB draws, and USF has 0 issues calling a speed option play on 3rd and long. Brown is lanky and quick. He’s not going to break many tackles, but he can gobble up open yards in a hurry. He leads the team with 183 rushing yards.

Byrum Brown really turned things on as the season progressed last year, completing 65% of his passes for 3300 yards and 26 TDs to only 11 picks, while also leading the team with 809 rushing yards and 11 more TDs on the ground. He’s as dynamic of a runner as you’ll find at QB in college football, and he’s steadily improving as a passer. Slot receiver Sean Atkins also returns as a his main target from a year ago, and the diminutive receiving threat is a Biletnikoff Watch list and First Team All-AAC preseason guy who looks poised to really build on his 1000 yards from last year.

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Running back Nay’quan Wright (the guy who trucked Caleb Downs last year) returns as well as a former SEC running back that can really do some damage on the ground.

Overall, it’s a fast, dynamic offense that takes some parts of the Tennessee/Huepel offense – the wide splits and the ridiculously fast tempo – but incorporates more of a power running and QB option game out of those wide splits. Screens and deep shots make up the bulk of the passing game to stretch the defense as far from the middle as possible, then they’ll relentlessly run the ball at those vacated areas.

For Alabama’s new look “Swarm” defense, this will be something of a test to see how the new scheme fares against what is considered the up and coming current trend of college football offenses. Can the linebacker crew handle the QB run, or will they get caught vacating rush lanes? Can the new secondary effectively swarm to screen passes while still being wary of the vertical shots?

I think Alabama may do better against the QB scrambles than we’ve seen in years past, as the defensive coverage should be more focused on watching the QB than under Saban’s pattern-match coverages. But I do worry that the Bulls may be able to get some deep shots on them and score a few more points than we like.

I predict they will score 17 on the Alabama defense.

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Kevin Turner Prattville YMCA Golf Tournament welcomes Auburn, Alabama players as guest hosts

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Kevin Turner Prattville YMCA Golf Tournament welcomes Auburn, Alabama players as guest hosts


PRATTVILLE, Ala. (WSFA) – One of the most anticipated golf tournaments of the year happens Monday — the 29th annual Kevin Turner Prattville YMCA Golf Tournament.

This year’s guest hosts are both placekickers — former Alabama kicker Michael Proctor and current Auburn kicker Alex McPherson.

Proctor, a Pelham High graduate, came to the Crimson Tide in 1992, a year after Turner was drafted by the Patriots. But he still remembers the Prattville native’s infectious personality that resonated with teammates. “I had heard about the tournament through the years,” Proctor said. “It’s a big deal. Kevin is a big deal. When he was playing here, and even after his unfortunate passing, he’s well remembered and respected. Anything I can do to help anything in his name, I would be willing to do. I met him when I was there. He came back, obviously knowing people on the team that he had played with. Anything I can do for his name … I’m sure anybody at Alabama or anybody that knew him would be willing to do anything for him because he would do the same for you.”

McPherson, a Fort Payne High graduate, came to Auburn in 2022, weathered an inflammatory bowel disease that sidelined him in 2024, and is now preparing for his fifth year as the Tigers’ kicker. And even though he never knew Turner personally, he’s looking forward to the tournament.

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“I’m honored,” McPherson said. “I heard what the tournament was about, Kevin and his story. I heard that one of the former Alabama kickers was going to be in the tournament and that they would love to have a kicker from Auburn. They thought that I would be a great fit.”

Proctor was recruited as one of the nation’s top prep kickers and went through a high school and collegiate career where he made 184 of 185 extra points. He kicked a then-record 60-yard field goal at Pelham and nine of his 26 field goals were longer than 50 yards. He finished a four-year career as the Crimson Tide’s second leading scorer with 326 points, earning All-American honors in 1993 and 1994 after winning a national championship in 1992 and returning as the Southeastern Conference’s top kicker a year later.

McPherson was recruited as one of the nation’s top kickers and kicked a record 61-yard field goal in high school before joining the Tigers. Like Proctor, his breakout year came as a sophomore (in 2023) where he made 13 of 13 field goal attempts and 40 of 40 extra point attempts in becoming a Lou Groza Award semifinalist.

Turner went through a five-year battle with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), which was triggered by CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a disease that hits home with many collegiate players from that era who witnessed it first with Turner and more recently with former Tide running back Kerry Goode.

The tournament helps fund the “Coach A Child Scholarship Fund Campaign” which provides financial aid to make YMCA services available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

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The Prattville YMCA has provided financial aid to more than 3,300 people, many of them children, at a cost of more than $400,000. This year, the goal is to raise $285,000 for the Coach A Child Fund Campaign.

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Copyright 2026 WSFA. All rights reserved.



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Alabama softball No. 1 overall seed in NCAA Tournament: Who does Tide play?

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Alabama softball No. 1 overall seed in NCAA Tournament: Who does Tide play?


Alabama softball is the cream of the crop heading into the 2026 NCAA softball tournament, cemented as the No. 1 overall seed for the first time in 16 years.

The Crimson Tide’s ranking means it will host a regional and, if it advances, a super regional. The regional field will consist of USC Upstate (36-21), Belmont (40-11) and SE Louisiana (46-14).

The Tuscaloosa Regional is double-elimination. Action will run through May 15-17 on SEC Network.

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It marks the 27th straight NCAA Tournament appearance for Alabama and the 21st-straight season it is hosting a regional at Rhoads Stadium, not including the canceled 2020 season. The Crimson Tide has advanced to the Women’s College World Series 15 times and is looking to do so for the first time in two years.

Alabama has one national championship, which came in 2012.

Alabama is coming off a championship game loss in the SEC Tournament. Seven unanswered runs led to a 7-1 fall to Texas, securing the Longhorns their first SEC Softball Tournament title during their second year in the conference on Saturday, May 9.

Friday, May 15

  • Game 1: Alabama vs. USC Upstate, noon CT
  • Game 2: Belmont vs. SE Louisiana, 2:30 p.m. CT

Saturday, May 16

  • Game 3: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, TBD
  • Game 4: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, TBD
  • Game 5: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser, TBD

Sunday, May 17

  • Game 6: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner, TBD
  • Game 7: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary), TBD

Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at ahurley@usatodayco.com.



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Alabama mom sentenced to life for hiring hitman to kill her child’s father over custody dispute

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Alabama mom sentenced to life for hiring hitman to kill her child’s father over custody dispute


An Alabama woman was sentenced to life in prison Friday after authorities said she hired a hitman to kill her child’s father in a custody dispute.

Jaclyn Skuce, 43, of Madison, was convicted of capital murder after hiring a man to kill the child’s father in order to prevent him from gaining custody or further visitation, the Morgan County District Attorney’s Office said.

The Hartselle Police Department was dispatched on July 24, 2020, to a residence for a welfare check after Anthony Larry Sheppard failed to appear in court for a scheduled custody hearing.

His attorney had asked officers to check on him, investigators said.

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Upon arrival, police discovered Sheppard’s storm door shattered and the main door ajar.

Jaclyn Skuce, 43, was sentenced to life in prison for hiring a hitman to kill her child’s father Anthony Larry Sheppard. Morgan County District Attorney’s Office

Officers later found Sheppard dead with multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators determined that Skuce hired Logan Delp to kill Sheppard in order to prevent him from gaining custody or further visitation with his child.

Prosecutors said Skuce used social media to hire the hitman, who lived in Hartselle, according to the Hartselle Enquirer. She allegedly offered to pay $30,000.

The Morgan County District Attorney’s Office said Skuce wanted to prevent Sheppard from gaining custody or visitation. Morgan County District Attorney’s Office

“There are never any winners in a case like this,” Chief Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery said following the verdict.

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“This jury was incredibly thorough and took their time to make sure they made the right decision, both for Mr. Sheppard and for the defendant.”

Vickery added, “We are glad that they convicted her for the choice she made to take Mr. Sheppard away from his family.”

Skuce was found guilty of three counts of capital murder: murder for hire, murder of a witness, and murder committed by shooting into an occupied dwelling.

The Hartselle Police Department said Skuce offered to pay $30,000 to the hitman. Hartselle Police Department

Four other defendants have been charged with capital murder in connection with Sheppard’s death.

Delp was convicted of capital murder in October 2025, the DA’s office said. Another defendant has pleaded guilty, and two others are awaiting trial.

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Skuce will be imprisoned without the possibility of parole in the Alabama Department of Corrections.



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