Alabama

Jumbo Package: Saban sets NFL Draft records, DeBoer tosses mullets

Published

7 months ago

April 29, 2024

Jumbo Package: Saban sets NFL Draft records, DeBoer tosses mullets

Happy Monday, everyone. Baseball took two of three from Ole Miss over the weekend while softball dropped two of three to Tennessee. And, Nate Oats added another key transfer.

Should Mark Sears and Grant Nelson come back and not go pro — an expectation but not a certainty considering how last year went with Charles Bediako and Jahvon Quinerly — Oats and co. will have one of the deepest rosters in the country.
Philon was an offensive force in Alabama. Coaches couldn’t scheme ways to stop him during his junior season (35 points per game). MaxPreps and Gatorade both named Philon the state’s player of the year. He can attack the paint and shoot the 3-pointer, making it hard not to imagine him developing with Holloway in Oats’ system. The Tide could return a starting backcourt with Sears and Latrell Wrightsell, offering both underclassmen cover.

With Sears and Nelson’s spots held for them, Oats still has one open roster spot that will ostensibly go to a big man. Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi was in town over the weekend, but is still taking visits.

Alabama track and field closed the regular season in fine fashion.

Alabama track and field concluded the outdoor regular season at the Desert Heat Classic with four first-place finishes from Corde Long (men’s 400-meter hurdles), Allan Kiplagat (men’s steeplechase), Caelyn Harris (women’s long jump) and Brenda Tuwei (women’s 3,000-meter).
Long highlighted the Crimson Tide’s regular season finale, grabbing a first-place finish in the men’s 400-meter hurdles with the fourth-fastest time in the NCAA this season at 49.26. Shortly thereafter, Kiplagat also returned a first-place finish in the men’s steeplechase with a personal-best 9:21.78.

SEC Championships are this weekend in Gainesville. The men finish the regular season ranked 2nd in the nation behind Texas A&M, while the womens’ team is 15th.

Alabama finished with ten players taken in the NFL Draft. Almost as encouraging: Kalen DeBoer’s former team matched that. From Katie Windham:

If opposing fanbases around the country and SEC were hoping for a dropoff in talent and production going from Saban to Kalen DeBoer, this weekend’s NFL draft proved they could be in for a rude awakening. Saban and DeBoer tied with 10 total selections, trailing only Michigan (13) and Texas (11) for number of players taken in this year’s draft.
DeBoer’s former Huskies also matched Alabama’s first-round total with three apiece (Michael Penix Jr., Rome Odunze and Troy Fautanu), which tied a program record at Washington. It was the first time multiple Huskies were selected in the first round since 2015.

Katie also notes that 27 of the 32 NFL franchises used a first round pick on an Alabama player in Saban’s 17 years. Out of all the other incredible stats, that one may be the most impressive.

It was clear that Saban loved his last team, even if he wondered if they were talented enough to win a national title. They damn near did, but this weekend we got a peek into why he felt the way he did about them.

“We had a couple of Alabama players come through on 30 visits,” Sabo said, “and so every time one came through, I’d make sure I’d peel off and say, ‘Hey, man, what do you think about Will?’ And at first they get kind of shocked, like ‘What’re you talking about?’ And then like, ‘Oh, my God. He’s like’ – I felt he was part of that team. He’s not an isolated player, where in some programs they’re isolated and maybe distant and maybe not necessarily connected to the team. And I never got that from the sources that I talked with at Alabama, the sources our other scouts talked to at Alabama and then (special-teams coordinator Matt) Daniels interviewing him through his processes as well.”

There’s something poetic about the Saban era ending with one of his kickers getting drafted, isn’t there?

Reichard gave Saban a record that will likely never be matched: during his Alabama tenure, someone was drafted at every position on the field, including long snapper, kicker and punter. If that wasn’t enough, Jaylen Key became Saban’s first Mr. Irrelevant.

“It means everything; that’s part of the title,” Key said on a video conference with New York-area reporters. “You just have to take it and lean into it. For me, I’m definitely going to lean into every bit of it. I’m Mr. Irrelevant this year, and we’re going to make something shake, for sure.”
The Jets selected Key with the final pick in the seventh round, No. 257 overall — the franchise’s first Mr. Irrelevant choice since 1969. That year, they picked last after winning Super Bowl III. This time, it was a compensatory selection.
The Mr. Irrelevant title has grown in stature in recent years, thanks, in large part, to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who helped his team to the Super Bowl last season after being the final player drafted in 2022.
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“We’ve got some shoes to fill behind Brock, but I can tell you this: We’re going to make something shake,” he said with a smile.

Last, Kalen and Nate got to experience the FloraBama mullet toss.

You have to wonder what Kalen thought of that, eh? Looks like they had some fun.

That’s about it for today. Have a great week.

Roll Tide.

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Alabama

Agency, Keanu Koht split week after he leaves Alabama football

Published

5 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

Agency, Keanu Koht split week after he leaves Alabama football

Ex-Alabama football linebacker Keanu Koht will have a change in NIL representation.

A&P Sports Agency announced Tuesday that it is no longer representing Koht.

“A&P Agency announces they have decided to part ways with Keanu Koht, effective 11/25/2024,” the agency released in a statement to AL.com. “We wish him the best in his future endeavors. No further details will be provided at this time.”

Koht, when reached for comment via Instagram on Tuesday by AL.com, said he “cut ties with them.”

Koht had been suspended from the Crimson Tide before announcing before the Oklahoma game that he had decided to enter the transfer portal.

“After careful reflection and consideration, I’ve come to realize that I’ve outgrown the shoes I once wore here,” Koht said as part of statement released by A&P Sports Agency a week ago. “With that in mind, I have made the decision to enter my name into the transfer portal, with two years of eligibility remaining. This was not an easy choice, but it’s one I believe is best for my future and personal growth.”

The transfer portal will officially open Dec. 9.

Koht did not travel with the team to LSU, and Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said he was suspended prior to the Mercer game.

“I’m not going to get into length or anything like that,” DeBoer said Mercer week.

Koht spent the last four seasons with the Crimson Tide. He didn’t play as a freshman in 2021, then largely worked as a reserve the rest of the time. He played in seven games this season, tallying five tackles, 0.5 sacks and recovering one fumble.

Next up, Alabama will face Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

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Alabama

What channel is Alabama vs Houston in Players Era Festival today? TV, streaming

Published

13 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

What channel is Alabama vs Houston in Players Era Festival today? TV, streaming

Alabama basketball’s run in the Players Era Festival starts with another fellow returning NCAA Tournament contender.

The No. 9 Crimson Tide (4-1) is set to face No. 7 Houston on Tuesday to kick off its Thanksgiving tournament appearance in Las Vegas, NV.

It will be the first time that Alabama and Houston (3-1) have met since coach Nate Oats and company traveled to Texas in December 2022, returning to Tuscaloosa with a 71-65 victory.

The teams are tied in the series with three wins and three losses each.

Here’s how Alabama fans can tune in to see the Crimson Tide compete for over $59 million in NIL.

What channel is Alabama vs. Houston today?

TV channel: TBS
Streaming: Sling, Hulu, Max

Alabama and Houston’s top 10 matchup on Tuesday will be broadcast on TBS, which can be streamed via Sling, Hulu or the B/R Sports package for Max.

Watch Alabama basketball with Sling!

Alabama basketball vs. Houston start time

Date: Tuesday, November 26
Start time: 7 p.m. CT

The Alabama vs. Houston game will be played at approximately 7 p.m. CT Tuesday at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Alabama basketball schedule for 2024-25 season

Record: (4-1)

Nov. 4: UNC-Asheville (W 110-54)
Nov. 8: Arkansas State (W 88-79)
Nov. 11: McNeese State (W 72-64)
Nov. 15: at Purdue (L 87-78)
Nov. 20: Illinois − C.M. Newton Classic (W 100-87)
Nov. 26: Houston − Players Era Festival, 7 p.m. CT
Nov. 27: Rutgers − Players Era Festival, 9 p.m. CT
Nov. 30: TBD (originally Notre Dame) − Players Era Festival, TBD
Dec. 4: at UNC − SEC/ACC Challenge, 6:15 p.m. CT
Dec. 14: Creighton, 7:30 p.m. CT
Dec. 18: at North Dakota, 7:30 p.m. CT
Dec. 22: Kent State, 12 p.m. CT
Dec. 29: South Dakota State, 2 p.m. CT
Jan. 4: Oklahoma, 5 p.m. CT
Jan. 8: at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT
Jan. 11: at Texas A&M, 7 p.m. CT
Jan. 14: Ole Miss, 6 p.m. CT
Jan. 19: at Kentucky, 11 a.m. CT
Jan. 21: Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. CT
Jan. 25: LSU, 7:30 p.m. CT
Jan. 29: at Mississippi State, 8 p.m. CT
Feb. 1: Georgia, 11 a,m./1 or 3 p.m. CT
Feb. 8: at Arkansas, 7 p.m. CT
Feb. 11: at Texas, 8 p.m. CT
Feb. 15: Auburn, 3 p.m. CT
Feb. 19: at Missouri, 8 p.m. CT
Feb. 22: Kentucky, 5 p.m. CT
Feb. 25: Mississippi State, 8 p.m. CT
Mar. 1: at Tennessee, 12 or 3 p.m. CT
Mar. 5: Florida, 6 p.m. CT
Mar. 8: at Auburn, 1 p.m. CT

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Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

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Alabama

The new role Mark Sears needs to fill for Alabama

Published

22 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

The new role Mark Sears needs to fill for Alabama

Alabama men’s basketball doesn’t need or want Mark Sears to fill the role he did in 2023-24.

Sears doesn’t need to be the player averaging 21.5 points and 33.6 minutes per game for this version of the Crimson Tide to succeed at a high level. And frankly, it’s going to be a challenge for him to do that again, as it already has been. Teams are too aware of him.

“First thing is, he’s got to understand it’s going to be a lot different than any other college year for him because he’s preseason player of the year, people are going to design their defense to stop him,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said. “He may play a game where he has an unbelievably great game and only scores five points but he moves the ball around and attracts so much attention that it makes it easier for his teammates.”

Sears’ role on this new roster has moved to center stage after he scored no points and didn’t play as much in a win over Illinois last week. He played 13 minutes in the first half then eight minutes in the second. Sears finished 0-for-5 and 0-for-4 from deep. Yet No. 8 Alabama won 100-87 at Legacy Arena in the CM Newton Classic.

Alabama got strong play from its other guards: Labaron Philon, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Aden Holloway. Philon scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and tallied nine assists. Wrightsell Jr. also scored 16 but had two rebounds and four assists. Then Holloway scored 18 and made 3 of 4 from deep.

Alabama didn’t have that much talent or depth in its backcourt a season ago. Especially when Wrightsell missed time with injuries. So Sears had to be the guy almost all the time and play a bunch of minutes for the Crimson Tide to play at a high level.

Now he doesn’t have to do as much, even though he’s capable.

“I think one, he’s got to quit pressing,” Oats said. “He’s not going to average as many points this year as he did last year. We knew that coming in. People are going to focus on him. We’ve got more talent around him. It just is what it is. He’s got to do it takes to help us win games.”

Sometimes, Oats said, that will be moving the ball and getting assists. Other games, he will be a decoy, attracting attention away so others can get open looks. And then there will be nights where teams let Sears score a bunch and prevent others from having an impact.

“He’s just got to get comfortable with the new role and get comfortable with doing whatever it takes to win and understanding that there’s going to be games he’s just not going to score that many,” Oats said. “We’ve got to do a decent job screening for him to get him open. Give him enough space to get downhill. Keep him playing aggressive without being overly aggressive to where he’s trying to score on multiple opponents. He’s got to stay aggressive and make the right reads when they bring multiple defenders to him.”

Next up, No. 9 Alabama (4-1) will play in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, starting with a game against No. 6 Houston on Tuesday (7 p.m. CT, TBS). Then the Crimson Tide will face Rutgers on Wednesday (9 p.m. CT, TBS).

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

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