Alabama

Alabama football offense will take some time to look more like Washington’s | Goodbread

Published

1 year ago

August 26, 2024

Alabama football offense will take some time to look more like Washington’s | Goodbread

The hire of Kalen DeBoer to replace Nick Saban as Alabama football’s head coach signaled wholesale change in the Crimson Tide’s offensive system. The attack DeBoer led at the University of Washington on his way to a College Football Playoff championship game appearance in January looked nothing at all like the system Tommy Rees directed at Alabama last season as Saban’s last offensive coordinator.

But wholesale change doesn’t necessarily come at warp speed, and as Alabama begins game-week preparations to face Western Kentucky in the season opener at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday (6 p.m. CT, ESPN), DeBoer cautioned that the transition to his system has been incremental, and that game plan must be well-suited to the talent on hand.

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To review, here’s what DeBoer offered on that subject in his introductory press conference in January: “It’s always going to be around our personnel. Yes, we’re going to recruit the best, the highest-character guys, but we’re going to be able to have concepts and systems that are able to be adjusted to what we have and what our strengths are.”

Fast-forward seven months to Monday of Week 1, when I asked DeBoer how much his offensive system at UW had to be adjusted to suit the personnel he inherited: “There are certainly some adjustments that coach (Nick) Sheridan (and) our staff have done in working with the personnel. That will continue to evolve as the season goes along. You have guys who continue to improve, especially younger guys who are taking those next steps. They’ll make those big steps, and you’ll incorporate them. There might be a package at some point that they’re incorporated in, and all the sudden it’s something where they’re a regular player, and maybe even a starter.”

Translation: an offseason of incremental change will keep right on incrementing into the fall. And those who struggle to adjust, by November, might find their snap counts slipping away to those who adjust best.

Alabama had the heaviest offensive line in the SEC last year by more than 20 pounds per man, well-suited for a power running game. The DeBoer system calls on offensive linemen for much more pulling and releasing into space than the Rees system did, not exactly the forte one could expect of Alabama’s bullish 350-pounders. This is why team captain and left guard Tyler Booker dropped more than 20 pounds in the offseason. It’s why center Parker Brailsford’s transfer from Washington was a big win for the lineup. And it’s no doubt part of why the battle waged between Wilkin Formby and Elijah Pritchett for the right tackle role will bleed into the season.

At quarterback, Jalen Milroe burned defenses last year with a heavy dose of deep shots in the passing game on the way to an SEC title. Along with that came a tendency to hold the ball too long, which made for a sour mix with the offensive line’s struggles in pass protection. DeBoer’s system, with drafted-first-round quarterback Michael Penix, placed more emphasis on getting the ball out quickly and taking the cheaper, safer profits of the short passing game. That’ll be one of Milroe’s biggest adjustments, one he’s no doubt invested much of the offseason in making.

Tight ends will likely be a bigger part of the UA offense as well; more involved in pre-snap motion, more involved in perimeter blocking, more involved in the passing attack.

But a carbon copy of Washington’s offense against WKU? Don’t expect it.

That could take a year or more. But moving further in that direction will only take weeks.

Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.

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Alabama

Austin Mack enters Alabama vs Eastern Illinois: 3 things to know about Crimson Tide QB

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

Austin Mack enters Alabama vs Eastern Illinois: 3 things to know about Crimson Tide QB

Alabama football has started to unload its bench against Eastern Illinois.

With 14:37 left in the third quarter, Alabama redshirt sophomore quarterback Austin Mack took over for Crimson Tide starter Ty Simpson with a 28-0 lead.

Here are three things you need to know as Mack takes the reins of the Crimson Tide offense.

Austin Mack has played in two Alabama football games in 2025

Mack has played in two other Alabama games in 2025.

He had extensive playing time in the Crimson Tide’s 73-0 win against Louisiana Monroe Saturday, Sept. 6. In one second quarter drive and two third quarter drives, Mack led the Crimson Tide to two touchdowns and a field goal. He completed eight of his 10 pass attempts for 80 yards with two touchdown passes: a 6-yard score to tight end Kaleb Edwards and a 3-yard score to tight end Josh Cuevas.

Mack also appeared in Alabama’s 38-14 win against Wisconsin. He led the Crimson Tide on a three-play drive that ended in a punt. He did not complete his only pass attempt.

Austin Mack followed Kalen DeBoer to Alabama from Washington

Mack originally committed to coach Kalen DeBoer at Washington, reclassifying from the 2024 recruiting class to 2023. He redshirted the 2023 season and sat behind Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Mack followed DeBoer to Alabama as his first transfer in January 2024. The Crimson Tide also added Cuevas, wide receiver Germie Bernard and center Parker Brailsford from the Washington roster.

As a redshirt freshman, Mack completed two of three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown.

Austin Mack continues Alabama football West Coast ties

Mack is a former four-star quarterback out of Folsom, California. He was the No. 16-ranked quarterback in the 2023 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings and led Folsom to a CIF Sac-Joaquin Division 1 championship.

Mack is one of 15 California natives on Alabama’s 2025 roster along with Cuevas, Edwards, defensive back Domani Jackson, defensive back Zabien Brown, defensive back Dijon Lee Jr., quarterback John Gazzaniga, defensive lineman Fatutoa Henry, defensive back Chuck McDonald III, wide receiver MJ Chirgwin, punter Alex Asparuhov, linebacker Abduall Sanders Jr., linebacker Grant Johnson, kicker Reid Schuback and offensive lineman Jackson Lloyd.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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Alabama

See all of the Alabama high school football playoff scores from Round 3

Published

1 day ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

See all of the Alabama high school football playoff scores from Round 3

The third round of the Alabama high school football playoffs brought some instant classics to the table.

Thompson held off a Central-Phenix City rally on a last-minute 2-point conversion stop and Opelika fended off archrival Auburn, with the two teams set to face off in the Class 7A championship.

See top statewide highlights from Friday’s Round 3 playoff action

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Also, Piedmont held off Gordo with a 28-20 home win, Lanett upset Class 2A No. 1 Luverne to advance and Vigor dealt Central-Clay County a shutout.

Here are all the scores from the second round of the high school football playoffs in Alabama as compiled by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

CLASS 7A SEMIFINALS

Opelika 31, Auburn 28

Thompson 35, Central-Phenix City 34

CLASS 6A QUARTERFINALS

Benjamin Russell 40, Hueytown 13

Clay-Chalkville 35, Homewood 17

Muscle Shoals 24, Mountain Brook 7

Saraland 56, Pike Road 32

CLASS 5A QUARTERFINALS

Moody 51, Briarwood 27

Scottsboro 16, Fairview 14

Vigor 14, Central-Clay County 0

Williamson 41, Catholic-Montgomery 10

CLASS 4A QUARTERFINALS

Anniston 31, Deshler 7

Jackson 50, W.S. Neal 7

Plainview 28, Good Hope 7

St. Michael 52, Bullock County 22

CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS

Bayside Academy 30, Montgomery Academy 13

Mars Hill Bible 42, Geraldine 0

Piedmont 28, Gordo 20

Southside-Selma 34, Glenwood 21

CLASS 2A QUARTERFINALS

Coosa Christian 17, Tuscaloosa Academy 0

Lanett 35, Luverne 16

Pisgah 26, Southeastern-Blount 15

Reeltown 28, Providence Christian 7

CLASS 1A QUARTERFINALS

Addison 28, Marion County 22

Leroy 60, McKenzie 38

Maplesville 42, Southern Choctaw 0

Wadley 62, Hubbertville 38

AISA CHAMPIONSHIPS

(at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery)

CLASS AAA

Chambers Academy 32, Lowndes Academy 14

CLASS AA

Abbeville Christian 50, South Choctaw Academy 28

CLASS A

Macon East Academy 34, Escambia Academy 14

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Alabama

Level 1 severe weather risk added for Alabama today

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2025

Press Room

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).

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.

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.

Here’s more from the weather service:

NORTH ALABAMA

CENTRAL ALABAMA

SOUTH ALABAMA

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