Draft Scout Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20 Player News, College Football: Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20

Alabama opponents know exactly what they'll get from Will Anderson as the nation's top returning pass rusher, and over the second half of last season, they got a strong taste of what Dallas Turner can do in that regard as well. Chris Braswell is more of an unopened package, but Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban put him in a category with the other two when asked about the 240-pound junior outside linebacker from Baltimore. "He's a really good rusher, he's got great first-step quickness. You can be quick and fast, but if you can't turn speed to power, you're never going to be an effective rusher. And he can do that really well," Saban said. "I think we have three guys there right now that are really good players at outside backer." Braswell has yet to notch his first career sack, putting him a far cry from Anderson's career production. But it's clear Saban is comfortable with his effectiveness in a pass-rushing role, and he could see the field this fall with Anderson and Turner in third-and-long situations when pass rushers are at a premium.

Braswell also can turn heads in the weight room. He's squatted as much as 705 pounds - almost triple his body weight - and power cleaned 405, according to The Athletic. "He's got a much better understanding of what he's supposed to do playing defense, playing outside 'backer. It takes guys a little time who have their hand in the dirt all the time when they're in high school," Saban added. "Then we try to teach them how to play standing up, which is a good fit for a lot of guys. Because they're not really big enough to be defensive ends, especially at the next level. So if they can play outside 'backer and rush on third down, that creates tremendous value when they learn how to play standing up. He has learned that, and he's improved at the pass coverage part of it." - Montgomery Advertiser

(DS#4 OLB) Sr/2024

OLB Chris Braswell, Alabama
News Source: Montgomery Advertiser
Share/Comment: Here

08/12/22 - Kool-Aid McKinstry, Jr/2024, Alabama, 6-0, 199 (DS#5 CB) + More +

Six of Alabama's past seven football seasons have stretched into the second week of January, making the task particularly difficult for any of its players wanting to also play basketball. Doing so would require shaking off the physical rigors of a 15-game football season and then jumping into an SEC basketball schedule, without the benefits of much practice time or experience in non-conference games. But five-star cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and four-star cornerback Terrion Arnold both arrived at Alabama last year with aspirations to play both sports, something that was welcomed by Nick Saban and men's basketball coach Nate Oats.

Oats said McKinstry would have a spot on the team and he practiced with the team upon his arrival on campus in early 2021. But after turning his attention back to football in the fall, McKinstry did not join the hoops team after football season this past winter. Basketball does not appear to be in McKinstry's future. "When I first got here, I was thinking about playing basketball," McKinstry explained Tuesday. "I actually did practice with the basketball team, but as of right now, I don't think I'll be playing basketball." - Birmingham News

(DS#5 CB) Jr/2024

CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

08/11/22 - Jermaine Burton, Sr/2024, Alabama, 6-0, 196 (DS#20 WR) + More +

If Bryce Young is going to win the Heisman Trophy again this season, he will have to do so with an almost entirely new cast of characters. He doesn't have receivers Jameson Williams, John Metchie III or Slade Bolden to catch passes anymore. They all went off to the NFL. That's 217 combined receptions lost. Now, a week into preseason practices, Young is having to build rapport with new receivers who have a chance to be some of his top weapons. Alabama went out and added some of the best available in the transfer portal in Georgia's Jermaine Burton and Louisville's Tyler Harrell. Young praised both Tuesday, speaking to reporters for the first time in August.

Young was aware of Burton from their time in California, but Young also knew him from Burton's time with the Bulldogs. "On film, how explosive he was is what really popped," Young said. Nick Saban said Burton has been the most consistent among Alabama's receivers so far. Young said Burton always gives everything in practice, finishing routes and plays. He also has noticed Burton's selflessness in that he is willing to run any route and play any role. "He's someone who comes to work every day with a great attitude," Young said. "Before every walk through, he's coming up to me like, 'Let's get it. Let's have a great practice. Let's get better." - Tuscaloosa News

(DS#20 WR) Sr/2024

WR Jermaine Burton, Alabama
News Source: Tuscaloosa News
Share/Comment: Here

08/11/22 - *Eli Ricks, Jr/2023, Alabama, 6-2, 190 (DS#23 CB) + More +

LSU transfer Eli Ricks was a five-star recruit and freshman All-American in Baton Rouge before opting for Tuscaloosa for Year 3. It's been a challenge and Saban said the domino effect began with the shoulder injury that ended his sophomore season in October. "I think that Eli sort of with the injuries that he had and the time that he was off," Saban said Sunday, "it was really a more difficult transition for him physically, emotionally, mentally, to come from where he was, to where he needs to get to be a kind of player that he wants to be." Ricks wasn't in a full contact jersey for the A-Day Game in April when he was playing with the second-team defense. Sophomore Kool-Aid McKinstry and senior Khyree Jackson were the starters with the first-team defense in a competition that has carried over into August. As the No. 14 overall player in the 247Sports composite ranking of the 2020 class, Ricks was an instant star at LSU. He was a freshman All-American while intercepting four passes in his 14 total games with the Tigers.

A torn labrum ended his second season in mid-October after re-injuring the same shoulder that required surgery the previous offseason, The Advocate reported. "I think that sometimes when you go through all those things, it can affect your confidence a little bit because you get frustrated and struggle because you're not used to being in the kind of condition that you once were," Saban said of Ricks. "No fault of his, but he had some difficult circumstances to overcome with the injuries and so forth. But he is making very, very good progress physically and on the field in terms of grasping the system and having a better understanding of what's required of him to be a good player." Defensive coordinator Pete Golding said there were five cornerbacks competing for two starting spots with Ricks definitely in that mix. - Birmingham News

(DS#23 CB) Jr/2023

CB *Eli Ricks, Alabama
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

08/11/22 - *Will Anderson Jr., Jr/2023, Alabama, 6-4, 253 (DS#1 DE) + More +

The Alabama preseason camp of 2021 came with legitimate questions about leadership. A power vacuum opened after losing such a veteran-stocked group that powered a national title run. The next few months validated those concerns as the Crimson Tide struggled to find the right voices. Linebacker Will Anderson was just a sophomore but stood up to fill the void, challenging teammates when their mindset wasn't up to standard. A year later, the All-American is an unquestioned voice among the leadership group in the Crimson Tide locker room. He offered an early evaluation of the mood as Alabama continues its first week of preseason camp. "There's not a lot of knuckleheads in the locker room," Anderson said bluntly, "no negativity in the locker room. Everybody's been bought in and committed and all into what we have going on this year."

The leadership group includes Anderson, defensive lineman DJ Dale, safety Jordan Battle, linebacker Henry To'o To'o and quarterback Bryce Young. Anderson said the group met with Nick Saban on Sunday. "Everybody's been very receptive of what we've been trying to get across," Anderson said, "the messages that we've been trying to get across to the team." Twice last season Anderson went public when he saw the team losing the mental edge -- first after a near loss at Florida and again after falling at Texas A&M. He didn't like the mindset, and though he was on the younger side, he couldn't sit back and say nothing after seeing what he saw. He sees a better disposition with the 2022 Crimson Tide. - Birmingham News

(DS#1 DE) Jr/2023

DE *Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

08/11/22 - Henry Too Too, Sr/2023, Alabama, 6-1, 227 (DS#3 ILB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD WATCHLIST: Henry To'o To'o, Alabama, Sr ILB,...Came to the Capstone and immediately stepped in to start in the middle of the Tide defense... earned All-SEC Second Team honors from the conference coaches...led UA in tackles with 113, including 8.5 for loss (-41 yards) while also contributing four sacks (-29 yards). - Alabama Football

(DS#3 ILB) Sr/2023

ILB Henry Too Too, Alabama
News Source: Alabama Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/11/22 - Jordan Battle, Sr/2023, Alabama, 6-1, 209 (DS#1 SS) + More +

2022 PRESEASON WUERFFEL TROPHY (COMMUNITY SERVICE) WATCHLIST: Jordan Battle, Alabama, Sr., DB,...Battle earned second team All-America honors from the AFCA while also being recognized as a second-teamer by CBS Sports ... a third team All-American by the Associated Press ... earned All-SEC First Team honors from both the AP and the conference coaches ... tied for the UA team lead and fifth in the SEC in interceptions with three. - Alabama Football

(DS#1 SS) Sr/2023

SS Jordan Battle, Alabama
News Source: Alabama Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/11/22 - *Will Anderson Jr., Jr/2023, Alabama, 6-4, 253 (DS#1 DE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD WATCHLIST: Will Anderson Jr., Alabama, Jr OLB,...One of the top defenders in all of college football who enters his junior season in 2022...Selected as a unanimous first team All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore...Led the country in tackles for loss with 34.5 (-148 yards) and sacks at 17.5 (-108 yards) in 2021...Accumulated 102 total tackles to rank second on UA while adding a team-high nine quarterback pressures a season ago. - Alabama Football

(DS#1 DE) Jr/2023

DE *Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
News Source: Alabama Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/11/22 - Jordan Battle, Sr/2023, Alabama, 6-1, 209 (DS#1 SS) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE: Jordan Battle, University of Alabama,... Battle earned All-SEC First Team honors from both the AP and the conference coaches ... tied for the UA team lead and fifth in the SEC in interceptions with three ... accumulated 111 return yards on his three picks, taking two of the interceptions back for a touchdown ... added 86 tackles to rank fourth on the UA defense. - Alabama Football

(DS#1 SS) Sr/2023

SS Jordan Battle, Alabama
News Source: Alabama Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/10/22 - Jaylen Key, rSr/2024, Alabama, 6-1, 208 (DS#22 SS) + More +

UAB head coach Bryant Vincent continues to be delighted with the second week of fall camp in full swing. The Blazers have the makings of the deepest and most experienced team in program history. Redshirt junior safety Jaylen Key is having an impressive camp leading into the 2022 season. The backend of the secondary is extremely experienced and Key is making the case for an even more expanded role this year, alongside veterans Will Boler, Grayson Cash and Keondre Swoopes. "Jaylen has had a great fall camp, the best fall camp that he's had since he's been here," Vincent said. "He's healthy, very coachable and one of the best athletes on the entire team. He's starting to put it all together and he's fun to watch." - Birmingham Post

(DS#22 SS) rSr/2024

SS Jaylen Key, Alabama
News Source: Birmingham Post
Share/Comment: Here

08/10/22 - Terrion Arnold, rSo/2024, Alabama, 6-0, 189 (DS#2 CB) + More +

Without a quarterback competition, a few other positional battles are getting the attention this August in Tuscaloosa. Chief among them: The Alabama cornerbacks and it has all the elements from a high-profile transfer, a former five-star from the Birmingham area and young talent. To begin, the Crimson Tide return the starters from January's national title team: Khyree Jackson and Kool-Aid McKinstry (the former five-star from Pinson Valley).

The new face is Eli Ricks, another former top-tier recruit who comes to Alabama after two seasons at LSU. Tide defensive coordinator Pete Golding listed all three initially when first asked about the positional group. He also threw out another name. "Terrion Arnold is really flashing," Golding said of the redshirt freshman from Tallahassee who didn't see any playing time last year. "Every day, those guys have got to come in and compete. That's what this camp is about. We're going to get through this camp, we're going to find the best two corners." Nick Saban said he likes the fact there's so much competition at a position where he's traditionally taken such a hands-on role. - Birmingham News

(DS#2 CB) rSo/2024

CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

08/10/22 - Deontae Lawson, rSr/2026, Alabama, 6-2, 228 (DS#1 ILB) + More +

After spending his final high school season in 2020 as one of the state's most coveted prospects, Deontae Lawson did not receive nearly as much attention in 2021. The four-star linebacker from Mobile Christian started Alabama's spring game last year because of COVID-19 issues at his position, but then spent the season mostly behind the scenes. He saw action in four games, three of which were non-conference blowouts over Mercer, Southern Miss and New Mexico State. Now a redshirt freshman, Lawson's opportunity for playing time with the Tide could be near.

Alabama has an opening at "Will" linebacker after three-year starter Christian Harris was drafted to the NFL this offseason. Fifth-year senior Jaylen Moody was the frontrunner in the spring for that job, but defensive coordinator Pete Golding on Sunday brought up Lawson as another candidate for the spot. "You've got Moody that's got experience in the system," Golding noted. "You've got Deontae Lawson who obviously had a good spring, had a good summer, is having a good fall camp. I think there's a push right there right now." Lawson is listed at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds by Alabama and if he earns a starting job would pair at inside linebacker with senior Henry To'o To'o, who decided against entering the draft to return this season. - Birmingham News

(DS#1 ILB) rSr/2026

ILB Deontae Lawson, Alabama
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

08/09/22 - Cameron Latu, rSr/2023, Alabama, 6-4, 242 (DS#12 TE) + More +

Alabama football tight end Cameron Latu is going to miss an undetermined amount of time of preseason practices, Nick Saban said after the first day or practices. Saban chose not specify what the particular injury was when asked. "Cam is going to miss some time in camp," Saban said. "I don't know exactly how long." Meanwhile, Alabama receiver Ja'Corey Brooks and center Darrian Dalcourt are practicing after they missed the spring with injuries. Latu is expected to be Alabama's starter again at the position after he was the most productive tight end in 2021. He caught 26 passes for 410 yards and eight touchdowns in his redshirt junior season.

Those eight touchdowns were a program record for a tight end. Irv Smith Jr. previously held the record at the position with seven. Behind Latu, Alabama doesn't have much proven talent. So, Saban said he is looking at Latu's absence as a chance for young tight ends to benefit from the increased reps they will get in preseason practices. "That's a position we definitely need to develop some depth at," Saban said. "This will give us a good opportunity to do that." - Montgomery Advertiser

(DS#12 TE) rSr/2023

TE Cameron Latu, Alabama
News Source: Montgomery Advertiser
Share/Comment: Here

08/08/22 - Cameron Latu, rSr/2023, Alabama, 6-4, 242 (DS#12 TE) + More +

Alabama tight end Cameron Latu will miss "some time" in fall camp for an undisclosed reason. "I don't know for exactly how long," coach Nick Saban said after Thursday's opening practice. When Saban was asked if he knows "what's wrong" with Latu, the coach responded, "Yeah, I do," but did not elaborate. Saban was then asked an unrelated question and quipped with a smile, "I don't know, just like I really don't know what's wrong with Cam. I was at practice but I don't know what's wrong with him." Latu, a fifth-year senior, was Alabama's starting tight end last season and the team's leading returning receiver. He had 26 catches for 410 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021, emerging as an option in the passing game after converting from defensive end earlier in his college career. - Birmingham News

(DS#12 TE) rSr/2023

TE Cameron Latu, Alabama
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

08/08/22 - *Will Anderson Jr., Jr/2023, Alabama, 6-4, 253 (DS#1 DE) + More +

Alabama was voted No. 1 in the preseason USA Today coaches' poll released Monday, with Ohio State second and defending national champion Georgia third. The Associated Press preseason Top 25 will be released Aug. 15. The Crimson Tide received 54 first-place votes from a panel of 66 major college football coaches. Alabama is coming off a loss in the College Football Playoff title game to Georgia. The Buckeyes received five first-place votes and the Bulldogs got six. No. 18 Texas also received a first-place vote. Clemson was No. 4 and Notre Dame was No. 5. Michigan, coming off its first CFP appearance, was sixth, followed by Texas A&M, Utah, Oklahoma and Baylor. - AP College Football

(DS#1 DE) Jr/2023

DE *Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
News Source: AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

Previous 15 Notes

|Back to Page One|

Next 15 Notes

Warning: Undefined array key "TeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 56

Warning: Undefined array key "DSTeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 57

Alabama Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

** Draft Scout Data **
(Everything Online PLUS)

Support Draft Scout

The Database Engine for NFLDraftScout.com, Draft Scout is being repurposed...Support the Future Development of ScoutNation.com...

Draft Scout Archives

** 2010-2022 Draft Scout Archives **
(Yearly Player Data Exports, Prospect Lists & More)

Draft Scout Future

100% Dedicated and Never Done

80% Innovated

45% Hidden

35% Built

2025 CFB/2025-2029 NFL Draft Scout

2024 CFB/2024-2028 NFL Draft Scout

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

NFL Draft Scout History

2022 Draft Scout

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Alabama Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

Support Draft Scout

Draft Scout Archives

Draft Scout Future

Synergization

Did You Know?

Hidden Designs

Future Development