TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Restricted contact on particular groups throughout this weekend’s A-Day sport will stop the gang inside Bryant-Denny Stadium from getting a very good take a look at Alabama’s return sport. Though, in line with Nick Saban, it’s one thing to control this season.
“I believe we’re a lot improved within the kicking sport,” Saban mentioned when requested Thursday about Alabama’s potential returners. “I believe we’re far more aggressive. I just like the power and enthusiasm that we have proven within the kicking sport. We have actually tried to develop numerous gamers within the kicking sport.”
Alabama hasn’t made any ultimate selections about who will maintain return duties this fall. Nonetheless, Saban did record a number of of the Crimson Tide’s candidates for the open roles.
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JoJo Earle returns as a viable possibility on punt returns after averaging 5.5 yards on 16 makes an attempt final season. These numbers would have been a bit higher had a number of pricey penalties not worn out among the shifty receiver’s higher returns.
Saban additionally talked about Georgia switch receiver Jermaine Burton in addition to sophomore cornerback Kool-Assist McKinstry as potential punt returners. In line with sources ultimately weekend’s scrimmage, Christian Leary additionally took activates punt returns.
The primary title Saban talked about on kickoff returns is Georgia Tech switch, Jahmyr Gibbs. The junior operating again starred within the function for the Yellow Jackets final season, averaging 25.61 yards on 23 makes an attempt, together with a 98-yard return for a landing in opposition to Boston Faculty. An alternative choice is freshman receiver Aaron Anderson, who tallied greater than 20 returns for touchdowns throughout his highschool profession.
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“We have got numerous guys that we’re working, however [we’re] not likely making an attempt to make any ultimate selections proper now as to who we predict can be the perfect,” Saban mentioned. “We’re simply making an attempt to develop every certainly one of them.”
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Final 12 months, Earle and fellow receiver Slade Bolden cut up time on punt return duties, combining to common a modest 6.03 yards per try. Alabama fared higher on kickoff returns the place speedster Jameson Williams led the best way, averaging 35.2 yards on 10 returns whereas bringing two again for touchdowns.
As for the opposite a part of Alabama’s particular groups, the Crimson Tide returns sure-footed senior kicker Will Reichard in addition to redshirt sophomore punter James Burnip, who joined the staff from Australia final summer time. As well as, senior walk-on Jack Martin might additionally assistance on kickoffs.
After making all 98 of his mixed area targets and further factors in 2020, Reichard was 22 of 28 on area targets and 71 of 72 on additional factors final season. Earlier this spring, the Hoover, Ala., native mentioned he’s been engaged on constructing his power whereas fine-tuning a number of method points heading into what figures to be his ultimate season.
“After I got here right here there have been numerous various things I wished to do,” Reichard mentioned when requested about his legacy final week. “Among the issues I haven’t achieved but. Hopefully, I’ll be capable to accomplish them this 12 months by working arduous within the low season. Hopefully, it pays off. I actually need to be generally known as a man who got here in to work arduous each single day and gave it his all and lived with the consequence.”
Throughout his first season of American soccer, Burnip averaged a pedestrian 39.13 yards on 48 punts however was in a position to present an ample sufficient quantity of cling time to get rid of large returns. In line with sources, the Australian nonetheless hasn’t offered many lengthy punts in scrimmages however has been extraordinarily correct on his punts this spring.
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Whereas it is perhaps arduous to achieve a lot perspective, the general public will be capable to see Alabama’s particular groups items in individual because the staff wraps up spring camp with its annual A-Day sport on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. Admission to the scrimmage is free. It should even be streamed on SECN+ and ESPN+.
Diane Westhoven, a student at Auburn University, is the new Miss Alabama USA.
Westhoven, who competed as Miss Southern Plains, was crowned Saturday night during a ceremony at the Gogue Performing Arts Center in Auburn. She’ll move on to compete in the Miss USA pageant later this year.
Westhoven was one of 34 women vying for the title of Miss Alabama USA 2024. She participated in interview, swimsuit and evening gown segments during preliminaries, and moved on to the finals Saturday night.
READ: Miss Alabama USA 2024: Meet 34 women competing for the crown
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Sophie Burzynski, Miss Alabama USA 2023, crowned her successor at the pageant, which was streamed online via PageantsLive.
Westhoven, from Vestavia Hills, is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority at Auburn. Her goal is to become a physician’s assistant focusing on “the total health of young women,” according to the Miss Alabama USA pageant. Westhoven previously competed for Miss Alabama USA 2023, and took third place last year as Miss Southern Plains.
Ashlyn Powers, who competed as Miss Fairhope, was named first runner-up on Saturday. Allyssa Weyant, Miss Lake Jordan, took third place. Olivia Burchfield, Miss Magic City, came in fourth. Halle Sullivan, Miss Northport, rounded out the top five.
Anna DuVall, who competed as Miss North Alabama, won the People’s Choice Award on Saturday. That meant she raised more money than the other contestants before the pageant began, via $1 online votes. Samantha Huver, who competed as Miss Samantha, won the Congeniality Award. Olivia Burchfield, Miss Magic City, won the Photogenic Award.
The Miss Alabama Teen USA pageant also was held this weekend at the Gogue Center. Ava LeBlanc, who competed as Miss Shelby County Teen, won that competition, besting 32 other contestants. She’ll move on to compete for Miss Teen USA 2024. Kensey Collins, Miss Alabama Teen USA 2023, crowned LeBlanc as her successor on Saturday.
READ: Miss Alabama Teen USA 2024: Meet 33 girls competing for the title
Georgia Busby, who competed as Miss Queen City Teen, was named first runner-up on Saturday. Presley Kauffman, Miss Thompson Teen, took third place. Britain Fuller, Miss North Mobile Teen, came in fourth. Andie Pfannkuch, Miss Auburn Teen, rounded out the top five in the teen group.
Alyssa Peak, who competed as Miss West Blocton Teen, won the People’s Choice Award among the teen group. Cammie Rivers, Miss Saraland Teen, won the Photogenic Award. Lauren Sutherland, Miss Tennessee Valley Teen, won the Congeniality Award.
Alabama welcomed top underclassmen for camps Thursday and Friday and is hosting a dozen official visitors this weekend as summer recruiting kicks into gear.In addition to 2025 OVs, the Alabama coac…
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A rainy and at times stormy day is in the forecast for much of Alabama for the first day of June.
Isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible across much of the state, especially later this afternoon into the evening hours.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center is maintaining a Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe weather for most of Alabama today. The exception is far eastern parts of the state, which could get rain and storms but not severe storms.
A Level 1 risk means that isolated severe storms will be possible.
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The strongest storms could have damaging wind gusts, but the hail and tornado threats are low for this go-around.
However, the National Weather Service is closely watching rainfall totals, especially in south Alabama, which has seen several severe storms overnight and a lot of heavy rain.
The weather service in Mobile early this morning reported a 69 mph wind gust in Fairhope in Baldwin County as severe storms moved through, and isolated rain totals of up to 5 inches have been reported in the Mobile area.
A flood watch will be in effect through the afternoon for Mobile and Baldwin counties.
The National Weather Service in Mobile expects thunderstorms to become more numerous this morning and last through early this afternoon. Forecasters said widespread rain totals of 2 to 4 inches will be possible, and isolated areas could get as much as 6 to 8 inches.
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The weather service in Mobile has placed an elevated risk for flooding across parts of south Alabama and northwest Florida today:
Rain will be possible in Alabama on Sunday as well, but there is no severe weather in the forecast. In fact, there is no severe weather in the forecast (after today) for the rest of the week in Alabama, although the typical summertime rain and scattered storms will be possible through the week.