Alabama
Alabama Football Spring Practice Report before A-Day Scrimmage
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Alabama football is just a few days away from an open scrimmage in front of the public for the 2026 A-Day Game, but until then, the media got one last peak at what the Crimson Tide’s been working on this spring.
The media was allowed to watch two of Alabama’s practice periods during Tuesday morning’s practice. Here are some of BamaCentral’s practice notes and observations:
Practice report
- One quarterback will have to be the first one to take the field on Saturday for A-Day, but Alabama was not giving any hints on who that might be during practice. During the periods the media could see, the quarterbacks were always throwing in groups of three. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell were always part of the first group, and the freshmen QBs Tayden Evan-Kaawa and Jett Thomalla rotated in with that group.
- During the drills where all three were throwing at the same time, the quarterbacks first worked on shorter routes like slants on different parts of the field. They then worked on deep routes to all segments of the field.
- Based on the groupings of wide receives, it seems pretty clear that Ryan Coleman-Williams, Lotzeir Brooks and NC State transfer Noah Rogers will be Alabama’s starters at receiver with Rico Scott, Derek Meadows and Cederian Morgan also in the mix.
- Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said at the beginning of spring practice that senior safety Bray Hubbard would be limited this spring. He was not wearing a black jersey on Tuesday and did not appear to be limited. He did not have any noticeable braces or wraps on his body.
- DeBoer was keeping a watchful eye over the quarterbacks during the media viewing period.
- The cornerbacks started with some press drills off the snap that also involved containing inside leverage. Red Morgan, who has moved all around the secondary the past two years between safety, HUSKY and cornerback, had a really solid rep.
- The CBs then worked on a coverage in traffic drill, where two receivers lined up behind each other and one corner was lined up roughly five yards behind the other. After the ball was snapped, the receivers went in opposite directions and the CBs had to quickly decide and follow. Starter Zabien Brown handled this with ease.
- Perhaps the most exciting drill from the CBs was one where they pressed against each other and went stride for stride before cutting the route and hauling in an interception. Starter Dijon Lee used his renowned 6-foot-4 frame to disrupt the pass, and his catch radius made it look easy.
- Alabama defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist was animated throughout each of the drills. He commended multiple players, but also scolded a couple with hopes that their next rep is much better.
- The Alabama Wolf linebackers worked on a block shedding drill. This involved a swim move on a dummy pad at the line of scrimmage and then pushing another pad downward in the backfield. It wasn’t necessarily a full-speed drill, but rather more about getting the technique down.
- South Carolina transfer Desmond Umeozulu used some force in the Wolf linebacker drills. Alabama Wolf linebackers coach Christian Robinson showed his approval for Umeozulu after a couple of reps.
- The Alabama offensive line spent its early portion of practice working on one-on-one blocking with improving technique and drive as the focus. The starters were difficult to tell due to this, but Jackson Lloyd led the majority of the drills along with center transfer Racin Delgatty.
- The linemen rotated through drills keeping their pads low and staying under the chute. Texas transfer Nick Brooks impressed with his hands as he violently moved his men every time he got a chance to take a rep. Brooks has worked at left guard and right tackle this spring, providing new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm with an interesting chess piece.
- The Alabama wolves came into view in the midst of the offensive line drills with Yhonzae Pierre leading the group. The Crimson Tide outside linebackers had Pierre, Dezmond Umeozulu, Justin HIll and Jamarion Matthews cycling through drills with Christian Robinson barking instructions, urging his group to play with violence. One of the assistants shouted for Matthews to break the blocking dummy saying the program would just buy another to replace it. Kane Wommack stood to observe the drill and smiled commending the violence and force the four were bringing to the morning practice.
Practice footage
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Alabama
Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo kicks off on Dauphin Island
DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) – The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo begins Friday morning on Dauphin Island, following a kickoff party Thursday night that featured the Captain T-Bone’s Liar’s Contest.
Rodeo contestants, their families and others attended the event, where participants competed to tell their best fish tales.
Cody Ward, vice president of publicity for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, said the stories are always a highlight.
“I don’t like to speculate too much on the lies, there are a lot of them, they come and go, and they are great all the time,” Ward said. “Make sure you’re out here, check them out, support these people, they love to do this and we love to hear their fish tales.”
Mike Eubanks has been fishing in the rodeo since 1982. He’s been to the liars contest many times and says he’s heard some great ones over the years.
“They can come up with some good ones. I don’t know which one was the craziest but the winner every year deserves it I promise you. Those judges have a hard time because they are some good ones,” Eubanks said.
The rodeo gets underway Friday with a cannon blast at 5 a.m. and runs through the weekend.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.
Alabama
Soccer officials needed in Alabama
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Soccer is rapidly growing in Alabama and there aren’t enough officials to accommodate.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup had an impact on the growth of the sport.
“Instead of the World Cup arriving in America, America has arrived at the World Cup,” AHSAA Soccer Officials Coordinator Cedric Thomas said. “Watch parties across the county has showcased how America has reacted to the beautiful game.”
The 2026 World Cup reminded fans within North Alabama how special the game of soccer is and the game is rapidly growing in the Valley.
“It’s larger than any football program,” Alabama State Youth Referee Administrator Thomas Russell said. “We have more recreational soccer players than all of football combined.”
The rapid growth has created issues across the state. The biggest issue is the lack of soccer officials in Alabama.
There are around 900 certified soccer referees in Alabama, but the state needs about 1,500 for all games at all levels to operate smoothly.
“You cannot have an official game without officials,” Thomas said. “You can see the impact on the kids faces when only one or two referees show up and you need a third to make it an official game.”
The impact goes beyond the whistle. Referees in soccer have the ability to teach young athletes during games.
“We don’t coach them in the game, but we can teach them what they can and can’t do,” Russell said. “You can see a good referee who works with the kids and interacts with the kids. One that doesn’t just call a foul and go away.”
Soccer is highlighted on all levels in Huntsville. From youth soccer to AHSAA Soccer State Championships and the Huntsville City Football Club.
“I would say that the Huntsville Sports Commission and the city has solidified whatever that vision they had for soccer.”
More officials are needed for the sport to grow in North Alabama and across the state.
To find out how to become an official:
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Copyright 2026 WAFF. All rights reserved.
Alabama
These 3 questions could define Alabama football 2026 tight ends room
Alabama football took a step forward at the tight end position in 2025.
It may have not been the most exciting, but production was consistent, especially from the now departed Josh Cuevas.
What’s next for the Crimson Tide at tight end? Here are three questions that could define Alabama’s tight ends in 2026.
Can Kaleb Edwards match Josh Cuevas Alabama football production?
Cuevas was Ty Simpson and Alabama’s offensive safety net in 2025. Cuevas was a weapon where if a check down was needed, he caught it.
Kaleb Edwards had a preview of what that responsibility would look like in his first Iron Bowl, making the start for the injured Cuevas. In 60 snaps, per Pro Football Focus, he had two catches for 8 yards. Edwards’ production grew in the SEC championship against Georgia when he had three catches for 42 yards in 36 snaps, per PFF, a game Cuevas also missed.
With a new quarterback in either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell, a tight end with the reliability of Cuevas could be helpful when it comes to momentum and moving the ball downfield. Can Edwards be that answer the Crimson Tide needs?
What role will Josh Ford play with Alabama?
Josh Ford was an early addition to the tight end room via the NCAA transfer portal, joining the roster Dec. 16 after two seasons at Oklahoma State.
He fits the body type, standing at 6-foot-6, 267 pounds, a big-bodied mover who is widely expected to play an integral role in pass protection and run blocking.
While he may not be flashy, could Ford emerge as the cog that drives Alabama into success in the run game and in protecting either Mack or Russell?
Who is next in line after Kaleb Edwards in Alabama tight end room?
Edwards seems to be the pass-catching tight end of Alabama’s near future. But he’s not the only one in contention for reps.
Marshall Pritchett, who played a key role in Alabama’s special teams unit in 2025, is expected to take a step forward as a sophomore. Even Mack Sutter, the four-star freshman out of Dunlap, Illinois, has the pass catching skills to make an immediate impact as a receiver, even if the blocking skills need to be developed.
Edwards may be at the front of the line. But tight end production isn’t all on him once the season kicks off.
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 or Instagram @colingaytnews.
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