Alabama

Georgia football must emulate this Alabama team to stay dominant

Published

2 years ago

April 27, 2022

Georgia football must emulate this Alabama team to stay dominant

The 2017 Alabama crew doesn’t rank as Nick Saban’s best crew ever, but it surely illustrates the indefatigable pressure the Crimson Tide has turn into throughout his tenure.

Months earlier than that season started, 10 Alabama gamers from the earlier 12 months’s crew have been chosen within the NFL Draft. Every of these draftees was picked throughout the first 4 rounds, with seven coming off the board throughout the first 55 picks. Defensive linchpins Jonathan Allen and Reuben Foster have been among the many departures.

If Alabama have been some other program coached by some other coach, at the least a smidge of regression would have been anticipated after enduring such depth of NFL departures.

However as a result of Alabama is Alabama, and since Nick Saban is Nick Saban, the Tide sat atop the preseason polls in 2017. Alabama didn’t win the SEC, and even the division, however back-doored its approach into the Faculty Soccer Playoff and rallied to beat Georgia within the nationwide championship.

[ OPINION:As Dabo Swinney, Nick Saban and Kirby Smart grumble, they don’t admit this | Toppmeyer ]

Georgia has emerged as a twin energy within the SEC and final season captured its first nationwide title for the reason that 1980 season. For the Bulldogs to stay on high of school soccer, they need to emulate the 2017 Tide.

That’s to say, the Bulldogs should be undeterred after a wave of high expertise exits for the NFL.

Fourteen Georgia gamers have been invited to the NFL scouting mix, and if every is chosen, that may tie a file for many gamers picked from one program. LSU was the final program to realize that feat, sending 14 to the NFL from its 2019 championship crew that went undefeated.

However LSU shouldn’t be Alabama, and Ed Orgeron shouldn’t be Saban. To wit: The Tigers are 11-12 since that nationwide championship, and Orgeron is out of a job, as a result of withstanding a swath of expertise heading to the NFL isn’t as straightforward as Alabama makes it look.

[ PAST TO PRESENT:Former Alabama football coach Gene Stallings is a rancher, Nick Saban’s confidant and more | Goodbread ]

Alabama, in 2020, pulled off the same feat because the 2017 crew.

9 Alabama gamers have been drafted in 2020 , all of whom have been picked within the first three rounds. Then Alabama delivered its most dominant season ever, blitzing the competitors with a traditionally nice offense.

Alabama gained’t match Georgia’s draft output this 12 months however might produce as many as 10 or 11 picks – 12 draftees is Alabama’s file – and the Tide is predicted to be ranked preseason No. 1.

Thursday evening’s 32-pick first spherical will probably be a testomony to simply how proficient and dominant Georgia’s protection was final season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars might choose Travon Walker with the No. 1 total decide, and fellow defensive standouts Devonte Wyatt, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean and Lewis Cine might be a part of him within the first spherical.

Together with all that NFL-bound Georgia expertise, the Bulldogs additionally should adapt to a brand new defensive coordinator after Dan Lanning left to turn into Oregon’s coach.

How a lot a coordinator change impacts a program relies on this system and the standard of the top coach. Alabama has confirmed largely unfazed by the coordinator carousel. Its 2017 crew had a brand new offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, after the departure of Lane Kiffin.

Alabama’s recruiting machine helps it stand up to employees adjustments and the annual departures to the NFL.

One star leaves, one other emerges.

In 2017, Allen’s departure created extra time for Raekwon Davis. Rashaan Evans took the place of Foster. And the crimson thresher stored harvesting victories.

Georgia is positioned to duplicate such persistence, for 2 causes.

One, the Bulldogs have a confirmed, long-tenured coach who isn’t going wherever. Secure management on the high of the group helps clean over adjustments elsewhere throughout the program. This marks 12 months 7 for Kirby Good at Georgia, making him the SEC’s third-longest-tenured coach behind Saban (getting into his sixteenth season at Alabama) and Kentucky’s Mark Stoops (getting into his tenth season).

Additionally, aside from Alabama, no program is recruiting as persistently properly as Georgia.

From 2017-21, Alabama and Georgia have been the one applications to signal a nationwide No. 1-ranked recruiting class, earlier than giving method to Texas A&M this 12 months. Through the previous six years, Alabama’s common class rating is 2.0 within the 247Sports Composite. Georgia’s is 2.3.

So, as Walker, Wyatt, Davis, Dean, Cine and others head to the NFL this week, the baton passes to the subsequent wave of expertise. Alabama executed a clear altering of the guard in 2017. The Tide did so once more in 2020, to an excellent larger diploma of success.

Persistent dominance, regardless of the extent of expertise turnover, is the subsequent field on Georgia’s guidelines.

Blake Toppmeyer is an SEC Columnist for the USA TODAY Community. Electronic mail him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and observe him on Twitter @btoppmeyer. Should you take pleasure in Blake’s protection, take into account a digital subscription that can enable you entry to all of it.

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Alabama

LSU Football Trending for Coveted Alabama Linebacker Following Unofficial Visit

Published

7 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Press Room

LSU Football Trending for Coveted Alabama Linebacker Following Unofficial Visit

Brian Kelly and the LSU football staff hosted one of the biggest recruiting events of the summer on Friday for the program’s annual Bayou Splash in Baton Rouge.

For Kelly and the Tigers, they brought in a myriad of commitments in both the 2025 and 2026 classes along with targets at the top of their Big Board.

The invite-only event was once again a huge success for the program with LSU now trending for numerous targets.

One name to keep tabs on is Gulf Shores (Ala.) native JaMichael Garrett.

The four-star 2026 linebacker has seen his status as a recruit skyrocket over the last few months after cracking the Top 150 in the recent update.

A Top 10 linebacker in America, Garrett has the Who’s Who of college football pursuing his services, but after trimming his list, it’s LSU and Auburn who are his finalists.

On Friday, Garrett made the drive to Baton Rouge for LSU’s Bayou Splash recruiting event where he was accompanied by several of the top targets on LSU’s radar.

@CoachBrianKelly 🐯🐯?! pic.twitter.com/eAZMP8PhUI
— Jamichael “Jmike” Garrett (@jamichael97) June 6, 2024

Following the trip to check in with LSU, he hopped back in the car to make the trip up to Auburn where he will visit with the [Auburn] Tigers on Saturday.

With his finalists set in stone, Garrett confirmed a commitment is “coming soon” with a decision likely coming within the next week.

Right now, LSU is trending for his services following a beneficial visit to Baton Rouge for the Bayou Splash event.

Garrett is an elite-level linebacker who could thrive under defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s system. There is a need for linebackers in the 2026 cycle with the Tigers turning up the heat for Garrett.

LSU currently holds a pair of 2026 commitments, but after a huge weekend on the recruiting trail, we could see more pop sooner than later.

All signs point to Garrett joining the class.

Late Friday night, we saw the first prediction come in from On3 Sports’ Shea Dixon with more buzz trending LSU’s way.

announcement coming soon … @Hayesfawcett3
— Jamichael “Jmike” Garrett (@jamichael97) July 27, 2024

For the Tigers, it would be a tremendous get for a program that is eyeing improvement for the long haul on the defensive side of the ball.

A Top 10 linebacker in America, Garrett is at the top of LSU’s 2026 Big Board with the program looking to get him on board sooner rather than later.

On Friday, he was alongside several top 2026 prospects with the No. 1 prospect in the country in town, Jahkeem Stewart.

Stewart, the the top recruit in the 2026 cycle, is just down the road from Baton Rouge and Brian Kelly’s coaching staff has kept tabs on the prospect many are preparing to call “generational”.

The prized defensive lineman plays his high school ball at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans (La.) where the Bayou Bengals have certainly dipped their toes in over the years.

From Leonard Fournette to Tyrann Mathieu, there have been several LSU greats that have come from the impressive Catholic League high school.

Now, LSU has their sights set on the next great recruit out of St. Augustine in coveted prospect Jahkeem Stewart.

The No. 1 overall player in the country, Stewart is a physical specimen of a defensive lineman who has programs across America salivating at his ceiling.

With a myriad of programs in his ear, Bo Davis and the Tigers have made sure to get in on the action as well.

LSU Football Lands Commitment From Five-Star Cornerback DJ Pickett, America’s No. 1 CB

LSU Baseball Flips Prized Pitcher, Texas A&M Commit Cooper Williams

SEC Media Days Notebook: Brian Kelly, LSU Eyeing Growth in 2024

Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.

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Alabama

Check out these five scenic parks in Alabama – Yellowhammer News

Published

14 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Press Room

Check out these five scenic parks in Alabama – Yellowhammer News

Alabama State Parks offer lots of opportunities for fun, adventure, and family escapes, especially in summer.

Monte Santo State Park

Madison County

The overlook at Monte Santo State Park is a perfect place for couples. (Alabama State Parks)

Known for its rich history and stunning landscapes, Monte Santo offers diverse outdoor activities and miles of scenic hiking and biking trails. It’s a perfect destination for nature lovers and families looking for a peaceful retreat.

Langan Park

Mobile

Langan Park in Mobile is the perfect place to take in the outdoors in Alabama’s Port City. (George Dodd / Getty Images)

An urban oasis featuring lakes, walking trails, and large green spaces, Langan Park is a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors enjoy amenities such as playgrounds, picnic areas, and the Mobile Museum of Art.

Blount Cultural Park

Montgomery

The Renaissance Bridge is a landmark at Blount Cultural Park in Montgomery. (Daniela Duncan / Getty Images)

A blend of art and nature, this park is home to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Blount Cultural Park is beautifully landscaped with gardens, ponds, and scenic walking trails for the perfect day for nature lovers or anyone looking for outdoor respite.

Black Creek Park

Fultondale

Waterways and rocks add to the natural beauty of Fultondale’s Black Creek Park. (Beth Bachelor / Getty Images)

A spot featuring scenic walking trails, lush greenery and a family-friendly atmosphere, Black Creek Park is a natural getaway. Enjoy outdoor movie night under the stars, adding a touch of cinematic magic to this beautiful park.

Oak Mountain State Park

Pelham

Peavine Falls is one of the most photogenic locations at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham. (Serge Yatunin / Getty Images)

A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Oak Mountain State Park offers a range of activities from hiking and mountain biking to fishing and horseback riding. With beautiful lakes and scenic views, it’s the perfect destination for adventure and relaxation.

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Alabama

These Alabama airports are sharing $22 million in federal grants

Published

21 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

These Alabama airports are sharing million in federal grants

Alabama airports are splitting $22 million in the latest round of federal grants to improve infrastructure like runways, lighting and taxiways.

Huntsville International Airport and Birmingham- Shuttlesworth International Airport are in line for the largest slices of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Grants, which are based both on passenger volume and capital improvement needs.

HSV will be getting $12.8 million to help shift a taxiway 200 feet and rehabilitate pavement and lighting on Runway 18/36, according to the FAA. In Birmingham, $6.9 million is earmarked for rehabilitation and construction of additional taxiways.

“The funding we’re announcing today will allow hundreds of airports to make critical improvements that will benefit passengers for years to come,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a news release announcing the grants.

The remaining funds are going to 10 other airports in the state, including: