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What Alabama football RT Elijah Pritchett needs to improve

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What Alabama football RT Elijah Pritchett needs to improve


Alabama football offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett has seen the most snaps of his career this season.

After two seasons as a reserve, Pritchett started the first game of 2024 at left tackle with Kadyn Proctor injured. Then Pritchett became the starting right tackle against Wisconsin and has filled the spot primarily ever since. Wilkin Formby has rotated in some, but Pritchett has received a majority of the snaps.

Pritchett has had a bit of a mixed performance. There‘s been good. There‘s also been bad. Some in between too.

Pritchett has allowed 18 pressures this season, according to Pro Football Focus’ charting. That is by far the most of any of the starting offensive linemen. Guard Jaeden Roberts is the next closest, having allowed eight.

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What does Pritchett need to improve?

“Consistency is really the big thing,” offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic said. “You’ll watch him, and he will have some really good plays. Good sets. Good with his hands. I think I was looking, there are four guys he’s had to block this season are projected to be first rounders. And he’s done some really good things. But then the minute his set isn’t quite right or he leans a little bit or doesn’t use his hands, you’re going to get exposed.”

Kapilovic noted that Pritchett as a tackle is out on an island, which makes consistency all the more important.

“But it’s also, you’ve got to be able to change things up to not give him the same look every time,” Kapilovic said. “It’s definitely a challenge, but the thing about it is, he’s shown he can do it. Just need more consistency from him.”

No. 14 Alabama will face No. 16 LSU on Saturday, Nov. 9 (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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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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Bonnaroo 2026 lineup includes Athens standouts Jessie Murph, Alabama Shakes

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Bonnaroo 2026 lineup includes Athens standouts Jessie Murph, Alabama Shakes


Two of Alabama’s greatest musical exports are set to perform at the 2026 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival: Rising young pop star Jessie Murph and legacy band Alabama Shakes, both from Athens.

Bonnaroo ’26 is scheduled for June 11-14 in Manchester, Tenn., about a 90-minute drive from Huntsville, Alabama. The festival’s headliners will include the deejays Skrillex and Griz, rock bands The Stokes, Turnstile and The Neighborhood, dance group Rufus Du Sol, country rapper Teddy Swims, singer/songwriters Noah Kahan and Role Model, and classic pop act Kesha.

Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. central Friday via bonnaroo.com. Prices start at $389 for four-day general admission and go up to $899 for VIP and $3,995 for “platinum.”

Four-day “Roo Insider” tickets — with perks like front-of-stage viewing, private golf cart transport, artist lounge access, air-conditioned tent accommodations plus all platinum, VIP and GA amenities — start at a princely $27,500.

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Born in Huntsville and raised in Athens, Jessie Murph is known for songs like “Blue Stripes,” “Touch Me Like a Gangster” and “1965.” The 21-year-old singer mixes Lana Del Rey’s sultry charisma and cinematic sound, young Priscilla Presley’s look, and a country drawl filtered through Amy Winehouse’s rap-swagger.

Alabama Shakes were founded in Athens about five years after Murph was born. Led by dynamic 37-year-old singer Brittany Howard, the Shakes are known for 2010s rock-and-soul songs like “Hold On,” “Always Alright” and Grammy winner “Don’t Wanna Fight.”

This summer, Howard (who went solo in 2019) and Shakes bassist Zac Cockrell (who’d been part of Howard’s solo band) reconnected with Shakes guitarist Heath Fogg for a lucrative amphitheater tour.

But it’s been a “three-union,” not a true reunion. The Shakes’ original drummer Steve Johnson was left out of the tour, telling AL.com he’d been ousted from the band due to legal issues he had during the band’s hiatus. In late August, Alabama Shakes 2.0 released “Another Life,” the band’s first new song in eight years.

In addition to Murph and Alabama Shakes, notable Bonnaroo ’26 undercard acts include Rock’s Latest Great Hope, the British singer known as Yungblood. There’s also hot indie/punk groups like Geese, Wet Leg and Amy & The Sniffers and classic rockers Wolfmother, Modest Mouse and Blues Traveler.

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Rap’s represented by stars like Vince Staples and Lil Jon, and electronic music by the likes of Major Lazer. Meanwhile, Tedeschi Trucks Band harkens back to Bonnaroo’s jam-band origins.

Weather truncated Bonnaroo’s 2025 edition. The festival was also canceled in 2020 and 2021, due to the pandemic.

Creole slang for “the good stuff,” Bonnaroo debuted in 2002 and is held on a 700-acre farm. Attendance at the festival has ranged from around 70,000 for the 2012 debut to around 100,000 in 2012 and down to an estimated 45,000 or so in 2016. The last full Bonnaroo, held in 2024, drew around 70,000, according to the Nashville Tennessean.

Past headliners have included Beastie Boys, White Stripes, Jay-Z, Phish, Paul McCartney, Kendrick Lamar, Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Dave Matthews Band, Nine Inch Nails, Kanye West, The Police, Radiohead, Neil Young, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder and Metallica.

C3 Presents is the production company for Bonnaroo. Their other festival productions have included Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Atlanta’s Shaky Knees and New Orleans’ Voodoo Music + Arts Experience.

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C3 also helmed South Star, a Huntsville festival, which debuted in 2024 with acts like Gwen Stefani, Tom Morello and TLC. South Star was cut short due to weather and didn’t return to Huntsville for 2025.



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NFL Monday night: Former Alabama prep star becomes league career leader

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NFL Monday night: Former Alabama prep star becomes league career leader


Marcus Jones returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown to send the New England Patriots on their way to a 33-15 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night.

With its 10th consecutive victory, New England became the first NFL team to reach 11 wins in the 2025 season.

Jones’ touchdown return came off a 54-yard punt by New York’s Jamie Gillan and put the Patriots ahead 10-0 with 5:17 left in the first quarter as they raced to a 30-7 halftime lead.

The punt return was the 75th of Jones’ career, qualifying the former Enterprise High School and Troy standout for the NFL’s career record book, and his 14.63-yards-per-return average went to No. 1 in league history.

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Jones replaced George McAfee, who averaged 12.78 yards on 112 punt returns for the Chicago Bears from 1940 through 1950, with three years missed for military service in World War II.

Later in the game, Jones had punt returns of 17 and 13 yards, bringing his all-time best average to 14.64 yards.

Only twice in NFL history has a player from an Alabama high school or college had a longer punt-return touchdown than Jones did on Monday night.

On Nov. 24, 1968, San Diego Chargers cornerback Speedy Duncan from Druid High School in Tuscaloosa returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown in a 37-15 loss to the New York Jets in an AFL game.

On Jan. 1, 2017, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill from West Alabama returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown in a 37-27 victory over the Chargers.

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The third punt-return touchdown of Jones’ career was his second of 2025. Jones returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown during a 42-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 28.

Jones’ Monday-night effort tied the franchise record for the longest punt-return touchdown, equaling Julian Edelman’s 94-yarder in a 38-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 2, 2011.

New England quarterback Drake Maye completed 24-of-31 passes for 282 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions on Monday night.

New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis breaks up a pass during an NFL game against the New York Giants on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

In addition to Jones, who started at cornerback for the Patriots, seven other players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the New York-New England game:

  • Christian Barmore (Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Patriots. Barmore made five tackles.
  • Carlton Davis (Auburn) started at cornerback for the Patriots. Davis made five tackles, recorded one tackle for loss and broke up two passes.
  • Patriots tight end CJ Dippre (Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.
  • Cor’Dale Flott (Saraland) started at cornerback for the Giants. Flott made five tackles and recorded one tackle for loss.
  • Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville, Alabama) made two tackles on defense, recorded one tackle for loss and had one tackle on special teams.
  • Giants offensive linebacker Evan Neal (Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
  • Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City) made one tackle.
  • Patriots safety Dell Pettus (Sparkman, Troy) did not record any stats.
  • Darius Slayton (Auburn) started at wide receiver for the Giants. Slayton had two receptions for 41 yards and one touchdown. Slayton’s first touchdown of the 2025 season came on a 30-yard pass from quarterback Jaxson Dart as New York reduced New England’s lead to 17-7 with 12:46 left in the first half. Slayton also caught a 2-point conversion pass after New York’s second touchdown.
  • Patriots wide receiver Jeremiah Webb (South Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
  • Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (Hueytown) dressed for the game but did not play. Winston had started the previous two games and thrown for 567 yards in a 27-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 16 and a 34-27 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions on Nov. 23. Winston returned to the sideline with the return of rookie QB Jaxson Dart from a concussion.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

New England (11-2) does not play against until Dec. 14 as the Patriots enter their bye week. New England will return against the Buffalo Bills at noon CST Dec. 14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

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New York (2-11) also is set for its open date in Week 14 of the NFL season. The Giants return against the Washington Commanders at noon Dec. 14 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton scores a touchdown during an NFL game against the New England Patriots on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton scores a touchdown during an NFL game against the New England Patriots on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.(AP Photo/Steven Senne)



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Alabama football 2026 recruiting class outlook at early signing day

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Alabama football 2026 recruiting class outlook at early signing day


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As Alabama football prepares for an SEC championship, the Crimson Tide is also on the cusp of securing the next wave of its future.

The start of the early signing period in college football kicks off Wednesday, Dec. 3, and players like five-star running back Ezavier Crowell, five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin and four-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan are set to officially sign with the Crimson Tide.

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Here’s a look at where Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class stands as the early signing period nears.

Alabama football recruiting needs 2026

Alabama has secured much of its 2026 recruiting class, even if the Crimson Tide has had a few recent fireworks in the 2026 class.

The Crimson Tide lost a commitment from four-star offensive lineman Sam Utu less than two weeks before signing day. Alabama secured a commitment from College of San Mateo offensive tackle Tyrell Miller to join Chris Booker, Bear Fretwell and Jared Doughty up front. And on Sunday, Nov. 30, Zyan Gibson wavered in his commitment to the Crimson Tide before releasing a statement saying he was standing firm, citing “miscommunication” as his reason for reportedly leaving the class.

But the headline names of the 2026 class are set in stone, players like Griffin, Crowell, Morgan, five-star safety Jireh Edwards and five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds, who are locked into what Alabama is building in 2026.

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Alabama football recruiting rankings

As the start of the early signing period nears, Alabama has the third-ranked class per 247Sports’ composite rankings behind No. 1 USC and No. 2 Georgia.

Alabama is one of three classes that have secured four five-star players in the 2026 class along with Oregon and Notre Dame. The average rating for each player in Alabama’s 2026 class is the third-highest in college football behind Oregon and LSU.

Alabama football 2026 recruiting class

  • Xavier Griffin: 5-star linebacker, Gainesville, Georgia
  • Jorden Edmonds: 5-star cornerback, Marietta, Georgia
  • Ezavier Crowell: 5-star running back, Jackson, Alabama
  • Jireh Edwards: 5-star safety, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
  • Cederian Morgan: 4-star wide receiver, Alexander City, Alabama
  • Jett Thomalla: 4-star quarterback, Omaha, Nebraska
  • Mack Sutter: 4-star tight end, Dunlap, Illinois
  • Jamarion Matthews: 4-star defensive lineman, Gainesville, Georgia
  • Nolan Wilson: 4-star defensive lineman, Picayune, Mississippi
  • Chris Booker: 4-star offensive lineman, Atlanta, Georgia
  • Jared Doughty: 4-star offensive lineman, Atlanta, Georgia
  • Corey Howard: 3-star defensive lineman, Valdosta, Georgia
  • Rihyael Kelley: 3-star safety, Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Kamhariyan Johnson: 4-star defensive lineman, Muscle Shoals, Alabama
  • Javari Barnett: 3-star running back, Tampa, Florida
  • Owen Cabell: 3-star wide receiver, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Bear Fretwell: 3-star offensive lineman, Brooklet, Georgia
  • JJ Finch: 3-star defensive lineman, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Brian Williams Jr.: 3-star wide receiver, Orlando, Florida
  • Tayden Kaawa: 3-star quarterback, Honolulu, Hawaii
  • Zay Hall: 3-star linebacker, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Tyrell Miller; College of San Mateo, Union City, California

When is early signing day?

The start of the early signing period is Wednesday, Dec. 3 and lasts through Friday, Dec. 5

The regular signing period begins Feb. 4, 2026.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 



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