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.

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.

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.

Roll Tide.