Alabama

DeVonta Smith explains how Alabama’s loaded WR room fueled everyone to succeed

Published

1 year ago

August 26, 2023

DeVonta Smith explains how Alabama’s loaded WR room fueled everyone to succeed

DeVonta Smith was a part of some legendary wide receiving corps at Alabama, and that’s helped fuel his football career into the NFL.

Running with guys like Calvin Ridley, Henry Ruggs III, Jerry Jeudy and Jaylen Waddle did nothing but help force Smith to get better. That he did of course, capturing the Heisman Trophy for the Crimson Tide during his final season in Tuscaloosa.

During an appearance on The Pivot Podcast, the former Alabama star explained how the Crimson Tide’s loaded wide receiver room fueled everyone to succeed, particularly how he approached the situation.

“I think it brought the best out of all of us,” Smith said. “You know, everybody was different in like, the things that they did, but you see those guys, you see what they do and you’re like, ‘Okay. That’s something I want to put in my toolbox.’ Like everybody had their own way of route running. Their own way of getting open. Their own way of making things happen with the ball. So it was just kind of like, you see these guys and everyone’s excited for each other, and you’re like, ‘I want to maybe do that in my game.’

“So you just worked on it, you talked to those guys and everybody just helped each other out.”

In the simplest terms, iron sharpens iron. That’s exactly what happened almost every day at Alabama, and that helped propel Smith and his teammates to becoming first round draft picks at the NFL level.

It hasn’t stopped there, as Smith and his former Alabama teammates have become some of the NFL’s best wideouts. Since joining the Philadelphia Eagles, Smith has been able to show why he was so highly regarded coming out of college, and many believe the best is still ahead of him.

Moreover, while Smith is a legend at Alabama, he refused to claim he’s the greatest to ever do it for the Crimson Tide. Instead, Smith pays homage to those who came before him, when asked who the best wide receiver to ever suit up for Alabama is.

“I’m gonna always put Julio [Jones] first. Like, that’s a pioneer. That’s No. 1 for sure. You can’t do nothing about that,” Smith added.

Jones was an early spark in Nick Saban‘s fiery run through college football. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver joined Alabama in 2008, Saban’s second season at the helm of the program. Jones didn’t wait to make his impact, becoming the first true freshman WR ever to start in a season opener for the Crimson Tide.

The rest is history. Jones concluded his time at Alabama ranked second in career receptions (179) and receiving yards (2,653) in school history and fourth in touchdown catches (15). The Atlanta Falcons selected Jones with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2011 Draft. Jones is a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.

Perhaps DeVonta Smith will have the NFL successes Julio Jones accumulated throughout his career when it’s all said and done. Time will tell, but the former Heisman winner is on his way, it seems.

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Alabama

2025 Alabama Hi-Q academic competition kicks off

Published

4 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

2025 Alabama Hi-Q academic competition kicks off

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – The first match of the 2025 Alabama Hi-Q season kicked off today.

The academic quiz competition for high school students with categories such as mathematics, history, physics and fine art and more.

Mobile County public and private schools compete in teams of eight to 10 students. At the end of the 15 contests, the top three teams win cash awards for their schools. Individual awards are given out, as well.

FOX10’s Lenise Ligon was invited to be the quizmaster, maintaining the tradition of fox10’s involvement. Bob Grip was quizmaster for 38 years.

Students from Mary G. Montgomery High School, Blount High School, Theodore High School, St. Paul’s Episcopal School, Satsuma High School and Barton Academy For Advanced World Studies competed in today’s event.

Blount got the win for the first match. There’s a challenge though and the win could go to MGM

St. Paul’s won the second match.

The competition ends in March when the overall winner is declared.

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Alabama

Ole Miss vs. Alabama Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Tuesday, Jan. 14

Published

12 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Ole Miss vs. Alabama Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Tuesday, Jan. 14

Alabama extended its winning streak to eight games on Saturday by beating Texas A&M on the road but will face another tough out on Tuesday when Ole Miss comes to Tuscaloosa.

The Rebels have been much improved in 2024 as Chris Beard continues to turn this program around and will look to score a signature win to propel the team to the NCAA Tournament by winning on the road as a big underdog. Ole Miss has been capable on both sides of the floor, will it be able to keep close to the Crimson Tide?

Here’s our betting preview.

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 153.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Ole Miss

Sean Pedulla: The Virginia Tech transfer has provided some necessary floor spacing for the Rebels, shooting 40% from deep as the team has been able to take a big jump offensively. While his defense leaves some to be desired, he has proven he can hang on the floor with his sound playmaking, ball handling, and shooting.

Alabama

Mark Sears: Sears hasn’t been able to replicate his scorching 2023, but he remains a high-value player on an elite offense for the Crimson Tide. Sears is averaging 19 points with more than four assists per game but is off of one of his best games of the season in which he closed out Texas A&M on the road with 27 points.

Ole Miss will face its first top-20 team in terms of KenPom’s adjusted efficiency rating, so there could be a bit of a setback for what has been an impressive season to date for the Rebels. However, I believe the offense can put points on the board against Alabama’s defense that plays drop coverage, and turns opponents over at a bottom 60 rate in the country.

The Rebels are a capable offense that has a bevy of players that can create off the dribble and attack Alabama in the paint, so I believe the visitors will be able to score at a healthy rate in this game.

On the other end, Alabama may be able to tee off from the perimeter against Ole Miss’ no-middle defense that lends itself to players open from beyond the arc. Further, if Sears can win in isolation sets, the rim should be easy pickings for the Crimson Tide to score at will.

In an up-tempo affair, I think both offenses rule the day and this game goes over the total.

PICK: OVER 153.5

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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Alabama

No. 21 Ole Miss visits Sears and No. 4 Alabama

Published

20 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

No. 21 Ole Miss visits Sears and No. 4 Alabama

Associated Press

Ole Miss Rebels (14-2, 3-0 SEC) at Alabama Crimson Tide (14-2, 3-0 SEC)

Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Crimson Tide -11; over/under is 164

BOTTOM LINE: No. 4 Alabama hosts No. 21 Ole Miss after Mark Sears scored 27 points in Alabama’s 94-88 win against the Texas A&M Aggies.

The Crimson Tide are 7-0 in home games. Alabama ranks fourth in the SEC with 39.1 points per game in the paint led by Labaron Philon averaging 7.3.

The Rebels are 3-0 against SEC opponents. Ole Miss ranks sixth in the SEC with 16.0 assists per game led by Jaylen Murray averaging 4.1.

Alabama averages 10.3 made 3-pointers per game, 3.1 more made shots than the 7.2 per game Ole Miss gives up. Ole Miss has shot at a 45.4% clip from the field this season, 4.6 percentage points above the 40.8% shooting opponents of Alabama have averaged.

The matchup Tuesday is the first meeting this season between the two teams in conference play.

TOP PERFORMERS: Sears is averaging 19.1 points and 4.5 assists for the Crimson Tide.

Sean Pedulla is scoring 14.1 points per game with 3.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Rebels.

LAST 10 GAMES: Crimson Tide: 9-1, averaging 92.5 points, 41.1 rebounds, 17.5 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 78.8 points per game.

Rebels: 8-2, averaging 76.4 points, 30.9 rebounds, 16.1 assists, 9.7 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 63.4 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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