Alabama
Former Alabama prep, Troy standout in line for his NFL debut
The Chicago Bears elevated cornerback Reddy Steward from their practice squad on Saturday, making the former Austin High School and Troy standout eligible for his NFL debut on Sunday.
An undrafted rookie who earned a spot on the Bears’ practice squad after he intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown in Chicago’s preseason finale, Steward will have the opportunity to play for the first time in the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals at 3:05 p.m. CST Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
A two-time All-State selection for his Decatur high school and a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference first-team pick during his four seasons as a starter at Troy, Steward is up with Chicago cornerback Kyler Gordon questionable to play because of a hamstring injury.
Each NFL team can elevate two players from its practice squad to active status for each game. Steward was among four players from Alabama high schools and college elevated on Saturday for Sunday’s games:
· The Denver Broncos elevated linebacker Kwon Alexander (Oxford) for their game against the Baltimore Ravens. Alexander also was elevated for the Broncos’ previous two games, started one and played 34 defensive snaps. Because no player may be elevated from the practice squad more than three times, Denver will need to sign Alexander to its 53-man active roster for him to play again for the Broncos in 2024 after Sunday.
· The Miami Dolphins elevated defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr. (Murphy) for their game against the Buffalo Bills. Farrell also was elevated for Dolphins’ previous game, and he played 11 defensive snaps in a 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in his 2024 debut.
· The Seattle Seahawks elevated cornerback Josh Jobe (Alabama) for their game against the Los Angeles Rams. Jobe also was elevated for the Seahawks’ previous two games, started one and played 116 defensive snaps. In Seattle’s 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Jobe got his first NFL interception. Because no player may be elevated from the practice squad more than three times, the Seahawks will need to sign Jobe to their 53-man active roster for him to play again for Seattle in 2024 after Sunday.
Another player with Alabama football roots eligible for Sunday’s games who wasn’t when Saturday started is Jordan Matthews (Madison Academy). The Carolina Panthers signed the tight end to their 53-man active roster from their practice squad.
The Panthers play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Matthews already played in the first two games of the season for Carolina.
A tight end with Alabama football roots also left an active roster on Saturday, when the Las Vegas Raiders waived John Samuel Shenker (Auburn). Shenker had been on the field for 60 offensive snaps and 63 special-teams plays in five games for Las Vegas this season. In Sunday’s 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Shenker caught his first NFL pass for a 7-yard gain.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
After an impressive home win over Kentucky this past Saturday afternoon, the SEC road opener has now arrived for the Alabama Crimson Tide, which is a trip to Nashville to face the unbeaten Vanderbilt Commodores on Wednesday night.
Two teams ranked in the Top 15 nationally in the latest USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, Alabama and Vanderbilt have emerged as two of the SEC’s top teams this season, and are also both currently among the top scoring teams in all of college basketball.
Both of Alabama and Vanderbilt are also loaded with talent as well, headlined by a talented group of guards such as Labaron Philon Jr. and Aden Holloway for the Crimson Tide, as well as the Commodores duo of Duke Miles and Tyler Tanner.
Stream Alabama vs. Vanderbilt on Fubo
Stream Alabama vs. Vanderbilt on ESPN+
One of college basketball’s top matchups of the week, following are the latest odds for the SEC showdown between Alabama and Vanderbilt in Nashville.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Jan. 6:
- Money Line: Alabama (plus-145), Vanderbilt (minus-180)
- Spread: Vanderbilt by 4 1/2
- Over/Under: 178 1/2
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Vanderbilt Commodores prediction, pick:
Memorial Gymnasium can be a difficult place to play for a road team at times, and it will likely be challenging for the Crimson Tide on Wednesday night, especially with the undefeated Commodores on the opposite end of the floor. A matchup in which Alabama has won four-straight dating back to 2023, as well as the last five in Nashville, I’ll go with Alabama to hand Vanderbilt their first loss Wednesday night in a high-scoring contest. Prediction: Alabama 88, Vanderbilt 82
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Vanderbilt Commodores channel, start time, streaming:
A Top 25 showdown, Alabama and Vanderbilt are set to meet Wednesday, Jan. 7, from inside Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee. The game is set to begin at 9 p.m. ET live on ESPN2.
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Joseph Ionata, who spent two years with the Tide, will be joining former teammate Jaylen Mbakwe.
Georgia Tech fans celebrate during the second half against Syracuse on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2025)
A second former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide is transferring to Georgia Tech.
Offensive lineman Joseph Ionata intends to play for the Yellow Jackets, according to On3. Ionata spent two years with the Tide and would be joining former Alabama defensive back and wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe.
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Chad Bishop is a Georgia Tech sports reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed Kristin Nelson in the upcoming special election for Alabama House District 38, a seat left vacant following the resignation of Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley). The district includes portions of Chambers and Lee counties.
Nelson recently secured the Republican nomination after winning a runoff election. The special general election is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3.
“Kristin Nelson is a well-respected community leader in Chambers County, and we are proud to endorse her,” said Jason McKay, president of the Chambers County Farmers Federation. “We know she will represent us well in Montgomery and ensure District 38 gets the attention it needs in the business and agricultural arenas.”
Support for Nelson’s candidacy also came from farmers in neighboring Lee County. “Kristin Nelson is a strong conservative with incredible knowledge of House District 38,” said Robert Walters, president of the Lee County Farmers Federation. “There is no doubt she will work hard and represent the people of Lee and Chambers counties well in the Legislature.”
Nelson grew up along the Chambers-Lee county line and brings experience from both the public and private sectors. Her background includes seven years in city administration with the City of Valley and three years as a third-grade teacher with Lanett City Schools.
She has also been active in homeschooling through Classical Conversations, where she has served as both a tutor and a local representative supporting other families.
In addition to returning to part-time work with Harris Gray LLC, Nelson serves as worship leader at Fairfax Methodist Church, secretary of the Junior Variety Club and president of the EAMC Lanier Auxiliary Board.
She also founded the Chambers County Young Republicans and currently serves as the chair of the Chambers County Republican Party.
“The farmers of this district and I share the same strong work ethic and conservative values,” said Nelson. “It is an honor to have their support and to be able to represent them and all the people of this district in Montgomery.”
Nelson and her husband, Jeff, live in the Huguley community with their two teenage sons.
The Alabama Farmers Federation is the state’s largest farm organization, representing more than 360,000 member families. The organization uses a grassroots endorsement process that relies on decisions made by county Farmers Federation boards of directors in local elections.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
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