Alabama

Why did Ja’Corey Brooks transfer to Louisville? Former Alabama WR commits to Cardinals

Published

1 year ago

December 16, 2023

Why did Ja’Corey Brooks transfer to Louisville? Former Alabama WR commits to Cardinals

After leading his alma mater to a 10-win regular season, ACC championship game appearance and top-15 ranking in his first season at the helm, Louisville football coach Jeff Brohm has shown no signs of slowing down.

Brohm and the Cardinals got a commitment Friday night from Ja’Corey Brooks, a wide receiver transfer from Alabama.

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The move helps bolster what was already a strong position group for Louisville in 2023 and gives them a talented, experienced and proven player from one of the sport’s top programs.

As he did last offseason, Brohm has leaned on the transfer portal heavily to construct his roster for the upcoming season, with the 6-2, 196-pound Brooks becoming the seventh transfer to commit to the Cardinals over the past two weeks.

But how did Brooks find his way to Louisville? Here’s a deeper look at the wide receiver, his career and why he left Alabama for the Cardinals:

Why did Ja’Corey Brooks transfer from Alabama?

Brooks joined Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide as a ballyhooed recruit in 2021 and made an immediate impact, playing in all 15 games and spending time at wide receiver and on special teams.

One of his two touchdown catches that year was particularly notable: With Alabama trailing rival Auburn in the final minutes of the Iron Bowl in November 2021 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Brooks hauled in a 28-yard touchdown pass from eventual Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young to tie the game at 10-10 with 24 seconds remaining. The Crimson Tide went on to win 24-22 in four overtimes, a victory that eventually helped it earn a trip to the national championship game, where it lost to Georgia.

As a sophomore in 2022, Brooks went from a valued contributor to a centerpiece of the Alabama offense, finishing third on the team in receptions (39), second in receiving yards (674) and first in touchdown catches (eight). He continued to pitch in on special teams, too, returning kicks and even blocking a punt.

During his junior season in 2023, however, his production fell off. That drop was caused at least in some part by a nagging shoulder injury that limited both his playing time and statistical output. In early December, a few days after Alabama beat Georgia in the SEC championship game and snuck into the College Football Playoff, Brooks entered the transfer portal.

Within two weeks of entering the portal, he chose Louisville. The Cardinals not only have Brohm’s dynamic, passing-oriented offense to sell to receivers like Brooks, but a track record of success with transfers at the position. Last season, two of the team’s top three receivers were in their first season with the program after transferring in from elsewhere.

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Ja’Corey Brooks recruiting rank

Coming out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, Brooks was not only one of the most sought-after wide receivers in the country, but one of the most sought-after prospects at any position.

The Miami native was a five-star recruit and the No. 27 prospect overall in the 2021 recruiting class, according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings. He was the No. 2 wide receiver, behind only current Ohio State star Emeka Egbuka. Three of the top six wide receivers in that class signed with Alabama.

He is currently rated by 247 as the No. 44 player overall in the transfer portal and the No. 8 wide receiver.

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Ja’Corey Brooks stats

Until the 2023 season, Brooks had been firmly entrenched in the Crimson Tide’s wide receiver rotation, highlighted by a stellar sophomore campaign in 2022.

Here’s a look at Brooks’ year-by-year receiving stats:

2021: 15 catches, 192 yards, 2 touchdowns, 12.8 yards per reception
2022: 39 catches, 674 yards, 8 touchdowns, 17.3 yards per reception
2023: 3 catches, 30 yards, 10 yards per reception

Brooks’ eight receiving touchdowns in 2022 tied him for third among all SEC players. That season, he also returned seven kickoffs for 106 yards.

REQUIRED READING: How former Louisville Cardinals are faring heading into final month of NFL rookie seasons

Louisville wide receiver depth chart

Though the Cardinals, given their personnel, were more of a run-based attack last season, Brohm’s offenses have historically leaned more on the passing game, which gives receivers like Brooks opportunities to make plays.

While NFL draft and transfer decisions can still be made, here is a look at what Louisville’s wide receiver depth chart could look like for next season based on players’ remaining eligibility (and excluding Brooks):

WR1

1. Jamari Thrash
2. Jadon Thompson

WR2

1. Kevin Coleman
2. Ahmari Huggins-Bruce

WR3

1. Chris Bell
2. Jimmy Calloway

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Alabama

Former Alabama Offensive Lineman Planning to Sit Out Most of Next NFL Season

Published

31 minutes ago

June 2, 2025

Press Room

Former Alabama Offensive Lineman Planning to Sit Out Most of Next NFL Season

Former Alabama standout offensive tackle Jedrick Wills suffered another setback and is expected to miss a large portion of the 2025 NFL season, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

“Sources: Free agent OT Jedrick Wills, who dealt with a lingering knee injury last season, is planning to sit out most — or possibly all — of the upcoming season to fully recover and get back to 100%,” Schultz wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Wills, the former Browns’ top 10 pick, has drawn interest from multiple teams and is still just 26 years old — but he believes taking this time off is the best move for the long-term future of his career.”

Wills played in a large majority of the Cleveland Browns’ games during the first three years of his career, but he’s logged a combined 13 contests over the last two seasons.

Wills experienced a recurring right knee injury during the 2024 NFL season, ultimately leading to him being placed on injured reserve and ending his year earlier than he had hoped. He also suffered a season-ending knee injury in November 2023, requiring arthroscopic surgery.

Wills elected for free agency on March 10 and it looks like he won’t be signing with a new team anytime soon.

Wills showed a lot of promise during the first couple years of his NFL career, as he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2020 and finished top-20 among all NFL offensive linemen in sacks allowed during his first two seasons. Once his knee is eventually healed, he’s still young enough to enter his prime.

Wills dominated opposing edge rushers and defensive linemen while at Alabama, as the 2017 CFP national champion was a First Team All-SEC member in 2019 and landed on the All-American Second Team that same year.

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Alabama

Top Linebacker Reveals Final Schools: Ole Miss Football, Florida, Michigan, Alabama

Published

18 hours ago

June 1, 2025

Press Room

Top Linebacker Reveals Final Schools: Ole Miss Football, Florida, Michigan, Alabama

Loganville (Ga.) Grayson four-star linebacker Anthony Davis remains a priority target for Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle.

Davis, a Top-20 rated linebacker in America, plays his prep ball for one of the Peach State’s top high school programs as he continues his development for the next level.

Following a standout junior campaign, Davis has earned double-digit scholarship offers with Ole Miss joining the likes of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Michigan Wolverines and Auburn Tigers, among others.

Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels sit atop the list for Davis alongside the Crimson Tide and Tigers as he begins evaluating his contenders.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder flaunts an impressive offer list, but according to Rivals, it’s Ole Miss and Alabama that are making an impact this offseason.

Davis unofficially visited the Rebels on April 17 where he had the chance to soak in the scenes of the Magnolia State for a quick trip around the staff.

“The hospitality they showed me and my family was like no other,” Davis told On3 Sports. “I sat down with the DC for a hour just going over how I fit their scheme and it was great.”

The coveted linebacker officially visited the Auburn Tigers this weekend and he’ll also check in with the Alabama Crimson Tide on June 20 to round out his summer trips.

But the Ole Miss Rebels have now landed an official visit with Davis where he’ll be in Oxford during the weekend of June 6, according to On3 Sports.

“Ole Miss has made things interesting,” Davis told On3 Sports. “The hospitality and the way they want to play for me really caught my attention.”

Davis is a Top-250 prospect in America and a Top-20 linebacker with a myriad of programs heavily invested in the talented defender.

Now, he’s down to five schools heading into the summer months with the Ole Miss Rebels joining the Michigan Wolverines, Auburn Tigers, Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide.

Kiffin and Co. will continue looking to bolster the second level of the defense this offseason with the program currently hosting Auburn linebackerr commit JaMichael Garrett for an official visit to Oxford.

The Visitor: JaMichael Garrett – Four-Star Linebacker

The list of recruits heading to town continued growing this week with the program adding Baton Rouge (La.) Central linebacker JaMichael Garrett.

Garrett, who recently made the move from Alabama to Louisiana to round out his high school career, will officially visit Ole Miss this weekend.

The four-star, Top-10 linebacker in America remains one of the most sought-after second-level defenders with multiple premier programs pursuing his services.

As it currently stands, Garrett is committed to Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers after going public with a decision last summer.

The 6-foot-, 195-pounder has reeled in offers from the likes of the LSU Tigers, Miami Hurricanes and USC Trojans, among others, but the Ole Miss Rebels are a school that continues generating buzz.

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and Ole Miss Rebels On SI: @OleMissOnSI for all coverage surrounding the Ole Miss program.

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Alabama

Alabama Track and Field to be Heavily Represented at National Championships

Published

1 day ago

June 1, 2025

Press Room

Alabama Track and Field to be Heavily Represented at National Championships

Alabama track and field wrapped up its final day of the NCAA East First Round in style as the Crimson Tide are sending three more athletes to the National Championships.

Doris Lemngole’s 9:13.12 time at the 3,000-meter steeplechase not only helped her win the race but she also broke the Hodges Stadium facility record. NC State’s Angelina Napoleon crossed the finish line in 9:37.12––which was the second-best mark. In other words, as usual, Lemngole absolutely dominated.

Joining Lemngole was Miracle Ailes, who used a season-best performance of 1.82 meters (5-11.50) to advance in the high jump, and Precious Nzeakor, who clocked an advancing, 23.03 time in the 200-meter race.

Across the four-day NCAA East First Round meet, the Crimson Tide be heavily represented at the National Championships at Oregon’s Hayward Field from June 11-14:

“Our team showed incredible grit and focus this week – advancing the number of student-athletes we did is a testament to their hard work, and we’re excited to carry this momentum to the National Championships in two weeks,” Alabama head coach Dan Waters said in a press release. “I couldn’t be prouder of how everyone competed throughout this meet – they supported each other, they rose to every challenge and represented the University of Alabama with excellence. This was a total team effort, and they’ve truly earned their shot on the national stage.”

No events are scheduled.

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90 days

June 1, 1968: Kenny Stabler and Dennis Homan were named to compete in the College Football All-Star game, with the collegiate stars slated to face the NFL Champion Green Bay Packers, winners over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II. The Packers were led by former Alabama quarterback Bart Starr, the MVP of both world championship games. — Bryant Museum