Alabama

Rams make surprise first-round move, take Alabama QB Ty Simpson

Published

2 months ago

April 24, 2026

Rams make surprise first-round move, take Alabama QB Ty Simpson

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

One of the most intriguing stories entering the first round of the NFL Draft was where Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson might land. Well, fans got their answer sooner than they expected.

The Los Angeles Rams surprisingly selected Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The selection isn’t completely out of left field and is arguably the best-case scenario for Simpson. The Rams have Matthew Stafford as their starter for 2026, but Stafford has flirted with the idea of retirement each of the past two offseasons. It’s clear the clock is ticking on his NFL career.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The Los Angeles Rams pulled a stunner and drafted Alababam QB Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the NFL Draft. (CFP/Getty Images)

Now, Simpson gets to sit behind one of the NFL’s best veteran quarterbacks, learn the position while adapting to life in the NFL, and not face immediate pressure to succeed. Additionally, the Rams are one of the most well-run franchises in the league right now. Sean McVay is an elite head coach who led the team to a Super Bowl victory to cap the 2021 season and just had the team within one win of another Super Bowl berth before falling to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

The most surprising aspect is the Rams looking toward the future, quite frankly. This is a team that has had no problem trading away first-round picks to make its team the best it can be each season. It seemed most likely the team would use the No. 13 pick to improve its team for next season, which could be Stafford’s last. Instead, the team decided to put itself in position for Stafford’s retirement without skipping a beat.

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford, now 38-years-old, has flirted with retirement after each of the past two seasons. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

There were several surprises in the first 13 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft: the Cardinals taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, the Titans selecting Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4, the Kansas City Chiefs trading up to take LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6 and even the Cowboys trading up one spot to make sure they drafted Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

But the Rams completely abandoning their recent strategy (usually trading away first-round picks and loading up for now) to select Stafford’s heir apparent is easily the biggest early shock of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Dan Zaksheske is a reporter at OutKick.

Source link

Click to comment

Alabama

Flooding Concerns Continue Across North Alabama as More Rain Moves In

Published

6 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Press Room

Flooding Concerns Continue Across North Alabama as More Rain Moves In

RADAR CHECK: Large areas of mostly light rain are moving across North/Central Alabama early this morning in the humid, tropical air over the state. A flash flood watch is in effect for the Tennessee Valley, and much of Northeast Alabama today; this is where some spots received 5-8 inches of rain yesterday with major flash flooding issues. Major creeks, streams, and rivers are out of their banks.

People in flood prone areas need to pay attention to flash flood warnings later today if they are needed, and as always, “turn around, don’t drown”. The southern half of Alabama will be much drier with only isolated showers around. Expect a high today in the low to mid 80s.

REST OF THE WEEK: Understand we are in the time of the year when you will have the risk of a pop-up afternoon shower or storm just about every afternoon, and that chance will stay in the forecast daily. But, they should be fewer in number after today as an upper ridge rebuilds across the Deep South. This will also mean higher heat levels; expect highs in the upper 80s and low 90s with a mix of sun and clouds each day.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The ridge weakens again, the air aloft will be a little colder, and the air more unstable. So, scattered showers and thunderstorms will likely be a little more numerous Saturday and Sunday. Highest chance of rain will come from noon to midnight, and highs will be in the 86-91 degree range. The sun will be out at times, and the weekend won’t be a total “wash-out”.

NEXT WEEK: Global models suggest the pattern will favor scattered to numerous showers and storms daily

Source link

Alabama

North Alabama residents celebrate Army’s 251st birthday at Redstone Arsenal

Published

16 hours ago

June 7, 2026

Press Room

North Alabama residents celebrate Army’s 251st birthday at Redstone Arsenal

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – People from across North Alabama went to Redstone Arsenal on Saturday night to celebrate the 251st birthday of the U.S. Army.

The Redstone Gateway hosted live music, food, games, and fireworks to mark the occasion. The gateway is one of the few parts of the Arsenal that is open to the public.

The event gave kids a chance to see real military equipment up close, including helicopters and Humvees.

“They love to see the Chinook especially, which is right behind me,” said Stephanie Stone, Marketing and Special Events Manager for MWR. “A lot of kids are amazed at all the Army vehicles that we have on display here. It’s hard to say if they’re more interested in the inflatables or the Army assets.”

Congress approved the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, a full year before the Declaration of Independence.

Click Here to Subscribe on YouTube: Watch the latest WAFF 48 news, sports & weather videos on our YouTube channel!

Source link

Alabama

Alabama football priority wide receiver target down to 4 schools

Published

1 day ago

June 7, 2026

Press Room

Alabama football priority wide receiver target down to 4 schools

Majay Thompson is down to four schools.

Thompson is a 2027 wide receiver out of Crest High School in Shelby, North Carolina. Alabama football is in the process of wrapping up another group of official visits and the explosive wide receiver is a part of this group. The wideout is now considering Alabama, Florida State, Georgia and Wake Forest. All signs point to a commitment announcement coming soon.

The Crimson Tide made Thompson a priority before getting him on campus over the weekend for an official visit.

At 6-foot and 186 pounds, Thompson reports the ability to run a 4.4 forty, and his speed is evident in some of his top plays from the 2025 football season. He flashes the ability to take the top off of defense by getting behind the secondary, along with his ability to turn a short pass into a big gain. The new Alabama targets sees his route-running, strong hands, ability to create separation, blocking, speed, and body control as strengths.

Thompson finished his junior season with 53 receptions and 865 receiving yards. He compiled 1,115 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns.

Watch Majay Thompson Highlights Below:

Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.