Alabama

Eye-catchers from Day 1 of Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game practice

Published

19 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Eye-catchers from Day 1 of Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game practice

MOBILE, Ala. — The 2024 edition of the annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game week got underway on Tuesday night as blue-chip talent from both states took the field before arriving on college campuses nationwide.

Rivals will be live on-site with daily updates from practices throughout the week, which will with the annual contest, which will kick off at noon CT on Saturday, December 14 from Hancock Whitney Stadium on South Alabama’s campus.

Eye-catchers from Day 1 of All-Star practice were headlined by several Auburn signees, including Jared Smith and Malik Autry. Here’s more from Rivals National Recruiting Analysts John Garcia, Jr. and Sam Spiegelman:

FOUR-STAR DE JARED SMITH – AUBURN SIGNEE

Jared Smith enjoyed an absolutely dominant senior season for Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson High School flying off the edge. That theme continued for the blue-chipper during Day 1 of Alabama-Mississippi All-Star practice. The lengthy EDGE defender is explosive off the ball and his length and wingspan is a problem for opposing offenses. At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Smith is a dangerous pass-catcher with the reach to impact plays even if he can’t sack the quarterback. We saw on several occasions Smith provide pressure off the edge and completely derail the offense’s plans.

FOUR-STAR RB ANTHONY ROGERS – OHIO STATE SIGNEE

Anthony Rogers showed up wearing No. 22 and got us thinking of a former dual-threat back sporting the number in Dexter McCluster. It’s not just that the Ohio State signee is a legitimate threat out of the backfield with speed and shiftiness to his name, but it’s the fact that an offensive coordinator could line him up there permanently and get by. Rogers made the most second and third-level plays of any Team Alabama player during the first impression. As a ball carrier, he is smooth in and out of his cuts and maintains a low center of gravity through the wash. Rogers also looked to be in great shape following the season, too.

FOUR-STAR DL MALIK AUTRY – AUBURN SIGNEE

Malik Autry has the tools to be a difference-maker in the trenches with his unique blend of athleticism and power in a 6-foot-6, 320-pound frame. The four-star Auburn signee pops off the ball and is a handful to contain. Autry is able to generate a pass rush from the middle of the defensive line and has a knack for creating chaos behind the line of scrimmage. We saw Autry stuff the run and make several splash play during Day 1 of action.

FOUR-STAR LB TYLER LOCKHART – MISSISSIPPI STATE SIGNEE

Tyler Lockhart is a true speed-rusher capable of getting after the quarterback from the edge or second level of the defense. The Mississippi State signee out of Winona (Miss.) High School forced the issue flying around the edge. The four-star outside linebacker is a jolt with immense closing speed and a knack for disrupting offensive rhythm. During Day 1 of action, Lockhart played at a pace different from several of his peers.

FOUR-STAR OL MICAH DEBOSE – ALABAMA SIGNEE

Micah Debose showed up relatively trim in his frame and worked an active first night of drills among the state’s best. The Alabama signee has experience up and down the offensive line and he looked comfortable in both tackle and guard alignments to kick off his all-star circuit. Debose flashes good footwork and redirection skill at the point of contact and also worked with high energy on Tuesday.

FOUR-STAR QB KJ LACEY – TEXAS SIGNEE

KC Lacey was smooth and operated in cruise control during Day 1 of Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game practice. The four-star Texas signee capped his historic run at Saraland (Ala.) High with 10,985 career passing yards, including 3,044 yards passing with 40 touchdowns as a senior. Lacey has fantastic command of his offense, which was on display on Tuesday night. Lacey is poised sifting through reads, making good decisions, and consistently delivering accurate passes at various levels of the field.

FOUR-STAR ATH DERICK SMITH – AUBURN SIGNEE

Derick Smith made plays on both sides of the ball during his run at Selma (Ala.) Southside High. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder passed the eye test seeing reps at wide receiver for the Alabama All-Star team. Smith made a ton of vertical plays for his high school offense and looked comfortable catching passes downfield outside the numbers and also in the middle of the field on Tuesday. Smith was able to come away with a few contested catches and in a swollen frame, the four-star playmaker heading to Auburn is a threat to make things happen with the ball in space, too.

FOUR-STAR OL MAL WALDREP – ALABAMA SIGNEE

Mal Waldrep may have had the best look and performance among offensive linemen on Tuesday. Another in-state win for Alabama, the Phenix City (Ala.) Central star is strong with his leverage and comes out of his stance with purpose on both ends of the line. Waldrep worked mostly tackle reps on Tuesday but looks like he is plenty broad enough to handle interior duty at the next level if need be. The swing line prospect is more valuable than ever and that future feels more believable for the senior in looking at his prospects in Tuscaloosa.

FOUR-STAR OL TYLER MILLER – LSU SIGNEE

Tyler Miller is one of the most intriguing prospects at a premium position in this 2025 cycle. The four-star offensive tackle from Laurel (Miss.) High School is built with an NFL frame — at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds — with an athletic profile to match. Miller plays with outstanding leverage and has immense power and good technique to contain an array of different pass-rushers. Miller is physically dominant and can pave running lanes with ease. During Day 1 of practices, the LSU signee from the Sip was superb in pass protection.

THREE-STAR PK EVAN NOEL – FLORIDA SIGNEE

Among all of the trench and skill position talent on hand, Evan Noel found a way to capture attention with his footwork. The specialist was simply booming kicks all evening long, with great force and arc from distance. We saw him work comfortably from 50-plus yards away from a leg strength and distance standpoint. Noel would get better as the workout wore on, too, nailing several from long distances, including a 55-yarder on one occasion.

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Alabama

What did Trevon Diggs tell the Alabama-bound National Player of the Year?

Published

5 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Press Room

What did Trevon Diggs tell the Alabama-bound National Player of the Year?

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs handed Duncanville High School quarterback Keelon Russell the 2024 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year Award on Tuesday.

Duncanville is about 40 miles south of the NFL team’s headquarters in Frisco, Texas, and the former Alabama standout made the trip to meet the quarterback who signed earlier this month to play for the Crimson Tide.

Diggs and the Cowboys have four more games remaining on their regular-season schedule while Russell and Duncanville have reached the semifinals of the University Interscholastic League Class 6A Division I playoffs. In the highest classification of high school football in Texas, the undefeated Panthers will square off against undefeated North Crowley on Saturday for a spot in the state-championship game.

“This is a great opportunity,” Diggs told Russell. “You worked hard, for sure. Putting your head down, working hard, you see where it got you, so I just want you to keep that same mindset, especially going into college. Keep your head down, work, don’t worry about nothing, focus on you and make sure you get that work done.”

ALABAMA FOOTBALL SIGNEE KEELON RUSSELL WINS GATORADE NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Six winners of the award have gone on to become first-round selections in the NFL Draft. Diggs indicated he expected to be playing against Russell in the pros.

“You’re a great player,” Diggs said. “That’s a great award. You’re going to go far. I’m going to see you soon.”

The award announcement came on Wednesday with Russell selected over the other two finalists, running back Alvin Henderson of Elba High School and offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell of Nixa (Missouri) High School.

Russell signed with Alabama on Dec. 4, the first day of the early signing period for the 2025 recruiting class.

After meeting a future Alabama quarterback, Diggs will play against a former Crimson Tide quarterback when the Cowboys take on Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers at noon CST Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs intercepts a pass during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 10, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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Alabama

Alabama QB expected to enter NCAA transfer portal

Published

12 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Press Room

Alabama quarterback Dylan Lonergan is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned.

Dylan Lonergan was ranked as a four-star recruit in the class of 2023. According to the On3 Industry rankings, he was the No. 13 quarterback and No. 162 overall player in the country in his class.

The news of Lonergan expecting to enter the transfer portal comes just a few days after Alabama was left out of the 2024 College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide were right on the edge of being selected to the field, but were left out and SMU was picked for the at-large spot instead.

Lonergan originally chose Alabama over offers from Stanford, South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina and others.

The Georgia native attended Brookwood High School, prior to coming to Alabama. As a junior in high school, he accounted for 3,932 yards and 39 touchdowns. Lonergan was selected to the Under Armour All-America game after his senior year.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

Alabama in the transfer portal

Nine Alabama players have entered the NCAA transfer portal to this point in the cycle. Since the Crimson Tide were left out of the field, eight of those nine have officially entered their name into the portal. Most recently, it was wide receiver Caleb Odom, who is expected to field notable offers in the portal.

Instead of going to the College Football Playoff, Alabama will now look to end its season on a bowl victory. The Crimson Tide were chosen to the ReliaQuest Bowl, where they will face the Michigan Wolverines, who most recently defeated rival Ohio State.

Last year, Alabama and Michigan faced off head-to-head in the College Football Playoff. It was the Wolverines who made a goal line stand in that game to fight off Alabama and advance to the national championship.

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Alabama

Backstroke and IMer Georgia Wimberly Commits To Alabama For Fall 2026

Published

1 day ago

December 10, 2024

Press Room

Backstroke and IMer Georgia Wimberly Commits To Alabama For Fall 2026

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Georgia Wimberly from Prosper, Texas has announced her commitment to continue her academic and athletic careers at Alabama beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

“I am extremely excited and humbled to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and athletic career at The University of Alabama. I would like to thank my family, coaches, and teammates for endlessly supporting me throughout my career. I would also like to thank the Alabama coaching staff for giving me this opportunity. Most of all, I would like to thank God for guiding me throughout this whole journey. The best is yet to come!! ROLL TIDE”

Wimberly swims for Lakeside Aquatic Club and is in her junior year at Prosper High School. She has already posted numerous best times this fall. She swam a best time in the 200 breast with a 2:21.92 as well as a 4:23.78 in the 400 IM. She also was just off her best time in her best event, the 200 back as she swam a 2:00.09. Her best time in the event is a 1:59.02 that she swam in December 2023. Georgia is the younger sister to Jacob Wimberly. Jacob is currently a freshman at Texas A&M.

Wimberly’s best SCY times are:

200 back: 1:59.02
200 free: 1:51.88
500 free: 4:58.36
400 IM: 4:23.78

The Alabama women finished 6th out of 12 teams at the 2024 SEC Championships. The team was led by Avery Wiseman who captured silver in the 100 breast in a 58.08.

The team is notably thin in the 200 backstroke as they only had two swimmers and one finalist in the event at 2024 SECs. Ella Menear led the way with a 14th place finish in a 1:54.84. The team also only had two swimmers and one finalist in the 400 IM as Sydney Sanders was 6th in a 4:12.66.

Georgia will arrive at Alabama in fall 2026 as a member of the class of 2030 along with Addison Sala (IM/back), Ava Grazziani (mid-distance free/back), and Alyse Block (sprint free). Sala has best times of 1:59.68 in the 200 back and 4:18.80 in the 400 IM while Grazziani has best times of 1:58.04 in the 200 back and 1:48.67 in the 200 free.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

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