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Alabama football ready to turn the page to 2025 season

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Alabama football ready to turn the page to 2025 season


Happy Thursday, everyone. We now know three of the four college football semifinalists as Penn State, Texas, and Ohio State have punched their tickets. Joining them will be either Notre Dame or Georgia who play today at 3pm CT on ESPN after being postponed due to the horrific murders on Bourbon Street. Alabama student Kareem Badawi was among the victims.

Alabama President Stuart R. Bell posted on social media, stating:

“I learned today that Kareem Badawi, one of our students at The University of Alabama, was killed in the terrorist attack in New Orleans. I grieve alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss. Our staff have been actively engaged in supportive outreach and the Office of Student Care and Well Being is available at 205-348-2461 or bamacares@ua.edu. Please take a moment to pray for those impacted by this tragedy.

Just an awful, senseless tragedy. May their families find peace.

Alabama fans are understandably ready to turn the page on the 2024 football season, and the excitement of QB prospect Keelon Russell is one way to do that. He will play in the Under Armour today on ESPN2, in the same time slot as the Sugar.

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The top-ranked quarterback of the All-American Game, Alabama signee Keelon Russell is set for the showcase just before heading to Tuscaloosa for his freshman season.

Russell, the No. 2-ranked prospect and No. 2 quarterback of the 2025 class behind Michigan quarterback signee Bryce Underwood, has an outside chance at being Alabama’s quarterback next season, as the five-star recruit could potentially push Ty Simpson for the job (should Jalen Milroe not return for another season).

The Duncanville High School (Texas) product will take snaps for Team Icon on Thursday, throwing passes to his high school teammate Dakorien Moore, a fellow five-star recruit and Oregon signee.

Russell certainly doesn’t lack confidence.

“We all seen the offense they ran with Jalen Milroe and how it kind of fit him,” Russell said. The current Alabama starter did throw for 2,844 yards and 16 touchdowns this fall but also had 11 interceptions in a campaign that fell short of program expectations. “Jalen Milroe lacked on some things. He’s more of a physical quarterback. He wants to run the ball a lot.

“It’s different going from Jalen Milroe to Keelon Russell. You’re get an effing unit (in Milroe), a tank at the quarterback position to you know what I’m saying, I’m getting there. I’m a tank too but I’m not that tank. He’s got a lot of stuff to him. It’s different. The offense is going to kind of change. It’s going to be a little slower since it has to change now if he were to possibly leave to the draft.

“It’s going to have to change.”

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There won’t be a spring camp battle with more intrigue than the Alabama QB competition this year.

Milroe and Tim Smith both seem optimistic about the 2025 team’s chances.

To Milroe, DeBoer and Sheridan are two reasons why he feels Alabama has a “bright future.”

“The people understand what needs to be done so we can be the best version of (ourselves),” Milroe said. “The standard that is here, the standard that is set. And we have a lot of great dudes in the locker room that’s hungry, that’s looking to get better, that’s looking to uphold the standard.”

Tim Smith didn’t have a message to Alabama fans after Tuesday’s loss. They are going to feel what they feel, the defensive lineman said.

Smith did have a message to his teammates before ending his Alabama career: continue to play to that Crimson Tide standard, something, he said, the players helped teach and uphold in a program filled with change.

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It’s why he feels Alabama is set up for success in 2025.

Kalen DeBoer got some good news yesterday as LT Overton announced his return.

“The journey towards success that has been paved at Alabama by the guys before me is not over,” Overton wrote in an Instagram post. “I am excited to take on challenges, and I am always looking to provide leadership. I am also committed to working hard to achieve the goals that I share with my teammates. As the late Kobe Bryant would say — Job’s not finished! In fact, this is just the beginning. 2025 will be a time for action. This is my official announcement – I am returning for my senior year. Roll Tide, Roll!”

There were a few bright spots in that disaster of a bowl game. Zavier Mincey flashed at safety, and James Smith looked quite explosive for a 300 pounder. Perhaps the DL could be a strength next season?

Did Alabama find its answer for defensive line production in James Smith?

For a defensive line that struggled to generate pressure all season, James Smith put on a clinic for Alabama against Michigan.

Smith recorded four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack: a tackle of Michigan quarterback Davis Warren for a 13-yard loss that was eliminated by a 15-yard personal foul penalty.

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Overall, Alabama’s defensive line accounted for both sacks and six of the team’s eight tackles for loss, a welcome sign ahead of 2025.

Tom Fornelli is Captain Obvious.

The truth that some haven’t come to grips with is that no matter how much changes in college football, Alabama will remain one of the premier programs in the sport. It will still land great recruiting classes, and it will still win a lot of games and compete for SEC championships and the College Football Playoff.

But it won’t do so every year. In some years, it will lose three or four games. One day, all Alabama fans will understand it and possibly even accept it while continuing to strive for better.

The question is whether they will come to that understanding during Kalen DeBoer’s tenure or after it.

Saban repeatedly said that the level of success he enjoyed at Alabama was unsustainable, even for him.

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Last, Jaren Hamilton is moving on after not seeing much action in the bowl despite a depleted WR corps.

Before the bowl, Kobe Prentice, Kendrick Law, Caleb Odom and Emmanuel Henderson opted to transfer away from Alabama. Jaylen Mbakwe, who spent his freshman regular season at cornerback, also moved to wide receiver for the game and beyond.

The transfer portal is open for Alabama players to enter for five days following the end of Tuesday’s game. The Tide lost 19-13 due to early turnovers and offensive struggles throughout, ending Kalen DeBoer’s first season in charge with a 9-3 record.

Hamilton was a four-star prospect out of high school according to the 247Sports composite. The Gainesville native chose the Crimson Tide over Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee and USC.

The receiver room is still quite stocked for 2025, though we still haven’t heard from Germie Bernard about his draft plan.

That’s about it for now. Have a great day.

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Roll Tide.



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How to watch, listen to No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 12 Oklahoma

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How to watch, listen to No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 12 Oklahoma


Alabama basketball is set to begin conference play this Saturday, and the SEC is no joke this year. The conference just had one of the best non-conference showings for any league in recent memory, meaning every game will be a challenge.

The Crimson Tide’s first opponent is Oklahoma, who holds a No. 12 ranking in the AP Poll as one of three remaining undefeated teams in the sport. Coincidentally the other two are also SEC teams in Tennessee and Florida.

The Sooners are an interesting case, having outperformed expectations by starting 13-0, but not receiving any love from the metrics. Oklahoma started the season rated No. 40 by KenPom, and has dropped one spot to No. 41 despite 13 straight wins to start the year. The schedule has been underwhelming, with one solid win over Michigan but playing seven teams outside the top-250 in KenPom.

Oklahoma’s non-conference strength of schedule ranks outside the top-300, and the Sooners have yet to play a road game this season. Every game they’ve played has either been in Norman or at a neutral site, which adds an notable wrinkle to this game.

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Another interesting note is that head coach Nate Oats is 0-2 in his Alabama career against Oklahoma. Both losses came in Norman in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, once in 2021 and once in 2023.

How to watch, listen and other key information

Opponent: No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners (13-0)

Date: Saturday, Jan. 4
Tipoff time: 5 p.m. CT

Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Venue: Coleman Coliseum
Capacity: 13,474

Television: SEC Network
– Play-by-play: Jon Schriffin
– Analyst: Richard Hendrix

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Streaming link: WATCH

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network
– Play-by-play: Chris Stewart
– Analyst: Bryan Passink

Satellite radio: CTSN on Sirius / XM 134 or 201

Varsity Network link: LISTEN

Series record: Oklahoma leads 7-3
Last Meeting: Jan. 28, 2023
– Oklahoma 93, Alabama 69

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Point spread: Alabama -10.5

Alabama Statistical Leaders:

– Scoring: Mark Sears (18.0 PPG)
– Rebounding: Grant Nelson (8.6 RPG)
– Assists: Mark Sears (4.0 APG)

Oklahoma Statistical Leaders:

– Scoring: Jeremiah Fears (18.1 PPG)
– Rebounding: Sam Godwin (6.7 RPG)
– Assists: Jeremiah Fears (4.5 APG)

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Who was Kareem Badawi? University of Alabama student killed in New Orleans terror attack

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Who was Kareem Badawi? University of Alabama student killed in New Orleans terror attack


The death of Kareem Badawi, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Alabama, has left the Episcopal School community in Baton Rouge grieving the loss of an exceptional young man.

Kareem Badawi was known for his kindness, strong work ethic, and potential, with friends honoring him through tattoos.

He was killed in a terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve. Another former classmate, Parker Vidrine, was also injured in the attack and remains in the ICU.

ALSO READ| FBI confirms New Orleans attacker acted alone inspired by ISIS

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Who was Kareem Badawi?

Kareem graduated from Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge, where he was a beloved member of the football team. He formed a close bond with his best friend and teammate, Ethan Ott. The two carried their friendship to college, becoming roommates and pledging Sigma Chi together. Both students excelled academically, earning 4.0 GPAs in their first semester.

Kareem’s former football coach, Travis Bourgeois, fondly remembered him: “Why innocent people have to suffer, especially a guy like Kareem, was well liked, not a hurtful bone in his body. He’s a very kind, gentle guy, well liked you know, people went to Kareem because he’s a positive guy.”

On New Year’s Eve, Kareem joined several 2024 Episcopal graduates in New Orleans to reunite and share stories of their first semester in college. At some point during the night, the group became separated. Around 3:16 a.m., Ethan informed Kareem he was heading to Bourbon Street. Shortly after, Kareem’s life was tragically cut short.

“He thought it’s a big city and New Orleans would have parties … He thought it would be a good idea, and there would be a bigger party than Baton Rouge,” Kareem’s father, Belal Badawi, told the New York Post.

“The next day was the Sugar Bowl and he loves sports so he thought New Orleans was the place to be for New Year’s Eve. The New Year’s Eve is not what he expected or planned for and unfortunately he got killed.”

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ALSO READ| New Orleans truck attack: British man among 15 killed in rampage

Ethan and other friends honoured Kareem by getting tattoos that read “KB 1-1-2025.” Ethan explained, “Now I’ve got Kareem with me forever.”

The Episcopal School community held a closed memorial for Kareem, with the chapel overflowing to twice its capacity.



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Alabama Sophomore Defensive Back Entering Transfer Portal

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Alabama Sophomore Defensive Back Entering Transfer Portal


Alabama safety King Mack is entering the transfer portal, per 247 Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

The sophomore, who transferred to the Crimson in the offseason after one year at Penn State, totaled 14 tackles in 13 games at Alabama this season.

Mack becomes the 19th player to enter the transfer portal, following quarterback Dylan Lonergan, running back Justice Haynes, defensive linemen Jeheim Oatis, Hunter Osborne and Damon Payne Jr., edge rushers Keanu Koht and Jayshawn Ross, linebacker Jeremiah Alexander, cornerbacks Jahlil Hurley and DeVonta Smith, wide receivers Kobe Prentice, Caleb Odom, Kendrick Law, Emmanuel Henderson Jr., Jaren Hamilton and Amari Jefferson and offensive linemen Miles McVay and Naquil Betrand.

Mack is the first Alabama safety to enter the portal and the third defensive back, joining cornerbacks Jahlil Hurley and DeVonta Smith. He is also the third Alabama player to enter the transfer portal on Friday, joining Jayshawn Ross and Jeremiah Alexander.

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The former four-star recruit and current 5-foot-10, 206-pounder out of St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was ranked as the No. 93 prospect in the class of 2023, the No. 8 safety and the No. 23 player in the state of Florida at the time of his commitment to Penn State on June 30, 2022.

It’s worth mentioning that Alabama made a couple of coaching staff moves on Friday, including the firing of safeties coach Colin Hitschler––this season’s mentor to Mack. However, it is uncertain at this time why Hitschler was relieved.

Read More: 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Offseason Tracker: Coming and Going



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