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USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama wide receiver named to preseason watch list for top college football award
Per an announcement Monday afternoon, Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Maxwell Award. The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football, and is an honor that the Crimson Tide have received five times before. Those winners were A.J. McCarron (2013), Derrick Henry (2015), Tua Tagovailoa (2018), DeVonta Smith (2020), and Bryce Young (2021). A sophomore, Williams enters the 2025 season coming off a stellar freshman campaign in which he received honors such as First Team All-SEC and Freshman All-America. Across 13 games, Williams hauled in 48 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns, while also rushing for 48 yards and two more scores. Williams also played a role on special teams, returning 12 punts for 120 yards, as well as two kicks for 14 yards. A player who could be a sleeper candidate for the Heisman Trophy, is this yet another sign that the 2025 season is shaping up to be a massive one for Alabama's star wide receiver? Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama football 2025 season preview, predictions: Abduall Sanders Jr.
A new face to the program this fall, Abduall Sanders Jr. enters his first collegiate season with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2025. Part of Alabama's 2025 recruiting class, Sanders is yet another name on the Crimson Tide's roster out of national powerhouse Mater Dei High School in California, the same program that has produced other defensive standouts such as Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown. As for Sanders in particular however, the talented freshman's role in 2025 is likely an unknown, as the linebacker has multiple names sitting ahead of him on the depth chart. Even despite this, could Sanders still make an impact this season? Here is everything you need to know about Alabama inside linebacker Abduall Sanders Jr. entering the season. Abduall Sanders Jr. player information Abduall Sanders Jr. career stats Sanders is currently entering his first season of college football. The linebacker has yet to compile any collegiate stats. Abduall Sanders Jr. 2024 stats Last season, Sanders was a senior at the prep level where he attended Mater Dei High School in California. Across 13 games, Sanders compiled 50 tackles, six TFL, three sacks, and two interceptions. Abduall Sanders Jr. recruiting ranking Per the 247Sports Composite rankings, Sanders was considered as the nation's No. 312 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class, as well as the No. 33 linebacker nationally. A four-star prospect, Sanders also committed to the Crimson Tide in March 2024, and was considered the No. 27 player in the state of California where he attended Mater Dei High School. Abduall Sanders Jr. 2025 season outlook It is likely an unknown as to how much time Sanders could see defensively this season. As to why, that is because Alabama has three names cemented at the top of the depth chart at inside linebacker in Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikhai Hill-Green, along with a few others, including Sanders, behind that trio. Because of this, playing time could be hard to come by for Sanders this fall, but the freshman could still be a special teams option, in addition to a reserve inside linebacker. Overall, expect Sanders to see some action this season, but for the true freshman to likely be a depth option. Abduall Sanders Jr. 2025 season prediction Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alabama's ranking in USA TODAY Sports' toughest college football stadiums doesn't add up
By all measures, Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium is one of the toughest places to play in all of college football. With a seating capacity of 100,077, Bryant-Denny Stadium and its patrons have witnessed the Crimson Tide lose just three times in Tuscaloosa since the back end of the 2012 season. The most recent loss came in 2023 when the Texas Longhorns toppled Alabama in a 34-24 win. On the eve of a new college football season, USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg and Blake Toppmeyer ranked the sport's unfriendliest stadiums entering 2025 by using "tracked records, traditions and environments to list the 25 most inhospitable stadiums in the FBS." Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium was ranked No. 8 on the list. Does the math check out for Alabama's ranking? If we're going by "tracked records" (i.e. wins and losses) and "mesmerizing home-field advantages" that Myerberg and Toppmeyer allude to, the answer is no. Let's start by repeating this fact: Alabama has lost just three times at Bryant-Denny Stadium since the start of the 2013 season. The Ole Miss Rebels pulled a 43-37 upset of the Tide in 2015. Alabama bounced back from that Week 3 loss and ended the season as national champions for the fourth time in six years under Nick Saban. Aside from that 2015 loss to Ole Miss and the one to Texas on Sept. 9, 2023, the only other team to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa from 2013-present was LSU during its 15-0 national championship season in 2019. The Tigers held on for a 46-41 victory in their closest game in a season that truly ranks as one of the most impressive and dominant campaigns since the turn of the century. In full, the seven teams whose stadiums placed ahead of Alabama on Myerberg and Toppmeyer's list were: LSU at No. 1, followed by Penn State, Ohio State, Oregon, Clemson, Tennessee and Georgia. Some of those schools' home losses far outweigh Alabama's. Tiger Stadium may be where "opponents' dreams come to die" as former coach Les Miles said many years ago, but try telling that to Alabama. The Crimson Tide have lost in Baton Rouge only nine times since Tiger Stadium opened in 1924, most recently in 2022. In the same 2013-present stretch, LSU has lost more times (five) in Tiger Stadium to Alabama alone than the Crimson Tide have lost to their opponents combined at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tigers have 11 total losses in Baton Rouge in that span. Penn State being ranked No. 2 in USA TODAY Sports' list seems far too generous for the Nittany Lions, given that they've lost a total of 16 times at home since 2013. That's hardly as impressive as Ohio State, who ranked one spot below Beaver Stadium. The Buckeyes have just six home losses in the past 12 years. Oregon (ranked No. 4) has nine home losses since 2013, though the Ducks have just one loss at Autzen Stadium since the start of 2019. Clemson at No. 5 on the list has six home losses since 2013. If we're truly going by "tracked records," Tennessee has the most egregious ranking on this list at No. 6. The Vols have a whopping 27 home losses since 2013 (four of them to Alabama alone). While Josh Heupel has turned the program around and Tennessee has only one loss at Neyland Stadium since the start of 2022, Georgia still has a far better claim than the Vols do for the toughest environment. Kirby Smart's Bulldogs haven't loss at Sanford Stadium since 2019. Since Smart took over in Athens in 2016, Georgia has just three other losses "Between The Hedges" -- all of which came during his first season as head coach. As far as traditions and environments go, every stadium on Myerberg and Toppmeyer's list has its own unique charm. But if tracked records such as actual wins and losses truly matter in determining the most unfriendly places to play in college football, Bryant-Denny Stadium and Alabama take a back seat to no one. The math doesn't lie. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama, Bryant-Denny Stadium ranked too low on toughest stadiums list
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
5 Alabama football position battles to monitor during 2025 fall camp
Football season has now officially arrived for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Yes, after a lengthy break during the summer months, the Crimson Tide will once again be back on the football field this upcoming week for the start of fall camp. A multi-week span leading up to Alabama's first game, fall camp is not only a period of time where the anticipation for the upcoming season continues to build for all, but it is also where the Crimson Tide put the finishing touches on things prior to playing meaningful games. Similar to years past as well, there will be multiple position battles for the Crimson Tide this fall that are set to take center stage, some of which are at key positions. Here are five position battles to monitor throughout fall camp for the Crimson Tide, as well as some names to know at each spot. Quarterback Kalen DeBoer recently stated at SEC media days that if Alabama had to play a game, then Ty Simpson would likely be the starter. However, Simpson will still likely have to go out and win the job during fall camp over Keelon Russell and Austin Mack, with these next couple of weeks likely deciding who starts Week 1 at Florida State. Left Guard As the Crimson Tide replace Tyler Booker at left guard this season, there are likely two names competing this fall for that starting spot in Kam Dewberry and Geno VanDeMark. With both certain to see significant time this season, the duo will likely compete in fall camp to determine who starts at left guard Week 1 at Florida State. Inside Linebacker Alabama has a starting inside linebacker returning in Deontae Lawson, but also have to replace a key starter from a year ago in Jihaad Campbell. In that competition, Justin Jefferson is undoubtedly the favorite, but another name to know is Colorado transfer Nikhai Hill-Green, who will also play significant snaps this season. Punter Special teams in general will be a talking point for Alabama entering the season, but the punter position in particular might be one to watch this fall. Blake Doud is the arguable favorite to start entering fall camp after transferring into the program, but will be battling for the starting spot with incoming freshman Alex Asparuhov. Right Tackle Lastly, left guard is not the only position along Alabama's offensive line to monitor during fall camp, as the same can be said for right tackle. Wilkin Formby is likely the favorite to start entering fall camp, but there are certainly many others who are in the mix as well. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alabama football 2025 season preview, predictions: Kevin Riley
Entering year two playing for his hometown team, could the 2025 season mark a breakout campaign for Alabama Crimson Tide running back Kevin Riley? A native of the Tuscaloosa area, Riley is coming off a true freshman season a year ago in which he did not see much action for the Crimson Tide. However, Riley came to Tuscaloosa as one of the highest-rated running backs in his recruiting class, and is a player who is certainly capable of emerging this season to potentially become a key contributor of Alabama's running back room. Here is a look at everything you need to know about Alabama running back Kevin Riley entering the 2025 season. Kevin Riley player information Position: Running Back Jersey Number: No. 28 Height: 5'11 Weight: 191 Class: Redshirt Freshman Hometown: Northport, Alabama High School: Tuscaloosa County Kevin Riley career stats Entering year two of college football, Riley is coming off a true freshman season in which he did not play much for the Crimson Tide. Last season, Riley played in only two games where he rushed for 30 yards on 10 attempts, while also hauling in two receptions for nine yards. Kevin Riley 2024 stats As mentioned previously, Riley appeared in only two games during the 2024 season, which came against Western Kentucky and Mercer. Over that span, Riley rushed for 30 yards on 10 attempts, and caught two passes for nine yards. Kevin Riley recruiting ranking According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Riley came to Alabama considered as the nation's No. 75 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, as well as the No. 3 running back nationally. Riley, a four-star prospect who committed to Alabama in Dec. 2023 when he flipped from Miami, was also ranked the No. 7 player in the state of Alabama where he attended Tuscaloosa County High School. Kevin Riley 2025 season outlook When taking a look at Riley's potential impact this season, it is currently an unknown surrounding what the former four-star prospect's role might be. As to why, that is because Alabama's running back room returns two big names in starter Jam Miller and Richard Young, while also having added an experienced transfer in Dre Washington. However, Riley could also potentially emerge in that group as well, as the redshirt freshman could make an impact in multiple different ways from the running back position. Overall, expect Riley to improve on his season totals from a year ago, and to be a backup option at running back who could potentially emerge later in the season. Kevin Riley 2025 season prediction 2025 Prediction: 25 rushes, 100 yards, 1 TD, 5 receptions, 25 yards Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football 2025 preview, predictions: Kevin Riley
